The artwork titled “Woman and Bicycle,” created by Willem de Kooning in 1952, belongs to the Abstract Expressionism movement and falls within the genre of portraiture. This piece exemplifies the artist’s explorations of form, color, and expressive brushwork, characteristics deeply affiliated with Abstract Expressionism.
The artwork depicts a woman alongside a bicycle, portrayed in a style that defies traditional realism. With vigorous and dynamic brushstrokes, de Kooning abstracts the subject, rendering the human figure and bicycle in distorted and fragmented forms. The painting incorporates a palette of bold, contrasting colors, which brings a heightened sense of energy and movement to the composition. This approach distills the essence of the subject rather than reflecting its precise physical attributes, capturing the emotional and psychological dimensions that de Kooning sought to convey.
