“Standing Bull,” an artwork by Elaine de Kooning from 1957, is a fine example of the Abstract Expressionism movement. Although categorized under animal painting, it possesses the characteristic abstract qualities of the era, favoring expression and emotion over precise representational accuracy.
The painting exhibits a dynamic array of colors, including shades of red, yellow, brown, and green, which swirl and mix together on the canvas. Brushstrokes are vigorous and freely applied, contributing to a sense of movement and raw energy. The suggestion of a bull emerges from the abstract forms, conveyed through a sense of mass and power rather than a clear outline. This lack of explicit detail is typical of Abstract Expressionism, where the emotional impact and the artist’s technique are often more important than the literal depiction of subjects.
