Philip Guston

Date of Birth: June 27, 1913

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: June 7, 1980

Biography

Philip Guston was an influential American painter and printmaker known for his transition from abstract expressionism to a more figurative, cartoonish style that tackled social and political issues. Born Philip Goldstein on June 27, 1913, in Montreal, Canada, he moved with his family to Los Angeles in 1919. Guston showed an early interest in art, attending Manual Arts High School, where he befriended Jackson Pollock. After a brief stint at Otis Art Institute, Guston began exhibiting his work in the 1930s. During the 1930s and 1940s, he painted murals for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and developed a style influenced by Renaissance art and Mexican muralists like Diego Rivera. By the late 1940s, Guston had shifted to abstract expressionism, becoming a prominent figure in the New York School alongside artists like Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko. In the late 1960s, Guston made a dramatic return to figuration, creating works that featured hooded figures, clocks, shoes, and other everyday objects. These paintings were initially controversial but later celebrated for their raw, expressive power and social commentary. Guston’s later work is now seen as a precursor to neo-expressionism and has influenced numerous contemporary artists.

5 Interesting Facts about Philip Guston

1. Philip Guston was born in Canada but moved to Los Angeles at a young age, where he grew up.

2. He was a close friend of fellow artist Jackson Pollock during his high school years.

3. Guston was initially an abstract expressionist but later became known for his figurative works that critiqued social and political issues.

4. His later work, featuring hooded figures and everyday objects, was initially controversial but later gained critical acclaim.

5. Guston received numerous awards, including the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Prix de Rome.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Philip Guston

1. “I got sick and tired of all that purity. I wanted to tell stories.”

2. “Painting is an illusion, a piece of magic, so what you see is not what you see.”

3. “I am a night painter, so when I come into the studio the next morning the delirium is over.”

4. “It’s taken me a long time to get into a position to say what I mean.”

5. “There is something mysterious about the fact that one is drawn to a particular kind of image.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Philip Guston’s net worth is difficult to ascertain precisely, but his works have fetched millions at auction houses, indicating a significant financial legacy.

Children

Philip Guston had one daughter, Musa Mayer, who has authored books about her father’s life and work, contributing significantly to the understanding of his legacy.