Barnett Newman

Date of Birth: January 29, 1905

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: July 4, 1970

Biography

Barnett Newman was an American artist known for his pivotal role in the Abstract Expressionist movement. Born on January 29, 1905, in New York City, Newman initially studied philosophy at the City College of New York before turning to art. His early work did not gain much attention, but by the late 1940s, he emerged as a leading figure in the New York art scene. Newman is best known for his ‘zip’ paintings, which feature bold vertical stripes on large canvases. These works aimed to evoke a sense of the sublime and challenge the traditional boundaries of painting. Throughout his career, Newman explored themes of creation, struggle, and transcendence, often drawing inspiration from mythology and philosophy. His work had a profound influence on later movements such as Minimalism and Color Field painting. Newman was also an articulate spokesman for abstract art, frequently writing essays and engaging in public debates about the nature of art and its role in society. Newman remained active in the art world until his death on July 4, 1970. Today, his works are held in major collections worldwide, and he is celebrated as one of the most important American artists of the 20th century.

5 Interesting Facts about Barnett Newman

1. Barnett Newman was not only an artist but also an accomplished writer and theorist, contributing significant essays on art and aesthetics.

2. His painting “Onement I” (1948) is considered a groundbreaking work that marked the beginning of his mature style.

3. Newman was a founding member of the Artists’ Studio, a cooperative gallery that played a crucial role in the development of Abstract Expressionism.

4. Despite his significant influence, Newman sold very few paintings during his lifetime and often faced financial difficulties.

5. His work “Vir Heroicus Sublimis” (1950-51) is one of the largest and most famous paintings of the Abstract Expressionist movement.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Barnett Newman

1. “The first man was an artist.”

2. “Aesthetics is to artists as ornithology is to birds.”

3. “I hope that my painting has the impact of giving someone, as it did me, the feeling of his own totality, of his own separateness, of his own individuality.”

4. “The problem of a painting is physical and metaphysical; the same as I think life is physical and metaphysical.”

5. “There is a tendency to look at large paintings as though they were windows, but I want the viewer to stand in front of them and be in them.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Barnett Newman’s highest net worth achieved during his lifetime was relatively modest due to the limited commercial success of his work. However, his paintings have since fetched millions at auction, with one of his pieces, “Black Fire I,” selling for over $84 million in 2014.