Ad Reinhardt
Adolf "Ad" Reinhardt
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Adolf "Ad" Reinhardt was born on December 24, 1913, in Buffalo, New York. He is often referred to by his nickname, Ad.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: December 24, 1913
Died: August 2, 1967 (aged 53)
Nationality and Profession(s)
Reinhardt was an American artist, art historian, and critic. He is best known for his work as a painter and printmaker.
Early Life and Background
Ad Reinhardt grew up in Buffalo, New York. His father was a German immigrant who worked as a tailor. Reinhardt's early interest in art was encouraged by his parents, who provided him with art supplies and encouraged his creativity.
Reinhardt attended the University of Buffalo (now known as the State University of New York at Buffalo), where he studied philosophy and art history. After graduating, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in art.
Major Accomplishments
Ad Reinhardt was a prolific artist who produced numerous paintings, prints, and writings throughout his career. Some of his notable accomplishments include:
Founding the Abstract Expressionist movement with other artists such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning.
Creating the "Black Paintings" series, which featured large-scale, monochromatic canvases that explored the relationship between color and space.
Writing extensively on art theory and criticism, including his influential book "Art-as-Art: The Selected Writings of Ad Reinhardt".Notable Works or Actions
Some of Ad Reinhardt's notable works include:
"Black on Black I" (1953), a painting that features a large black square on a black background.
"Abstract Painting Number 61 (Rust and Blue)" (1953), a painting that showcases Reinhardt's use of bold colors and geometric shapes.
Reinhardt was also a vocal advocate for the importance of art in society. He believed that art had the power to transform individuals and communities.
Impact and Legacy
Ad Reinhardt's impact on the art world cannot be overstated. His contributions to the Abstract Expressionist movement helped shape the course of modern art. His writings on art theory and criticism continue to influence artists, curators, and scholars today.
Reinhardt's emphasis on the importance of art in society has inspired generations of artists and art educators. His legacy serves as a reminder of the power of art to transform and uplift humanity.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Ad Reinhardt is widely quoted and remembered for his insightful writings on art theory and criticism. His ability to distill complex ideas into clear, concise language has made him a beloved figure among artists and art enthusiasts.
Reinhardt's commitment to the importance of art in society continues to inspire artists, educators, and curators today. His legacy serves as a reminder of the transformative power of art to uplift and empower individuals and communities.
Quotes by Ad Reinhardt
Ad Reinhardt's insights on:
If some student came up and wanted to know where to study painting, you’d want to suggest someplace, but there’s no place. I wouldn’t know where to send a student to study.
Now almost every artist outside of New York is connected with some school or some museum school, and even in New York the majority are. That’s an interesting fact when you take the idea of making money, making a living selling paintings. Only a dozen or two painters do that.
We all name ourselves. We call ourselves artists. Nobody asks us. Nobody says you are or you aren’t.
It is not right for painters to think that painting is like prostitution, that ’first you do it for love, then you do it for others, and finally you do it for money.
The only and one way to say what abstract art or art-as-art is, is to say what it is not.
The ugliest spectacle is that of artists selling themselves. Art as a commodity is an ugly idea... The artist as businessman is uglier than the businessman as artist.
As an artist I would like to eliminate the symbolic pretty much, for black is interesting not as a color but as a non-color and as the absence of color.
An artist who dedicates his life to art, burdens his art with his life, and his life with his art.