The Largest de Kooning Drawing Exhibition Opens in Chicago in October

While Willem de Kooning is globally recognised as a titan of the Abstract Expressionist movement, his mastery began long before he reached for a paintbrush. A new exhibition is set to reveal that the pencil was the true starting point for one of the most influential figures in American modern art.

A Landmark Exhibition in Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago will present Willem de Kooning Drawing, the most extensive exhibition ever focused on the artist’s drawing practice. The show opens on June 14 and runs through September 20.

This presentation brings together more than 200 works sourced from private collections, institutions, and museums worldwide. Many of these pieces have never been displayed together, marking a significant archival event.

The exhibition is particularly notable as it represents the first solo presentation of de Kooning’s work at the Art Institute since 1969.

Did You Know? Before becoming a central figure of American modern art, de Kooning worked as a window display designer, a commercial artist, and a house painter.

Redefining the Creative Process

Although de Kooning is frequently associated with the postwar New York art scene and monumental paintings, this exhibition argues that drawing was the essential foundation of his entire body of work.

Visitors will see how drawing informed every stage of his creative process over a span of more than 70 years. The collection includes sculptures, prints, paintings, and sketches on paper.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that by centering the “margins” of de Kooning’s work, the exhibition shifts the narrative from the finished, monumental product to the raw, experimental process. This highlights the tension between his early ambitions as an illustrator and his eventual role in defining a movement alongside peers like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko.

From Rotterdam to the New York Avant-Garde

Born in Rotterdam in 1904, de Kooning immigrated to the United States in 1926. He arrived with the specific ambition of becoming an illustrator.

He eventually rose to prominence alongside other defining figures of the era, including Lee Krasner, Mark Rothko, and Jackson Pollock.

The exhibition tracks his evolution from his earliest surviving drawings to his late-career works, emphasizing a lifelong commitment to experimentation.

Experimental Techniques and Research

De Kooning often pushed the boundaries of his medium, occasionally blurring the line between painting and drawing. In some instances, he utilized unconventional methods, such as drawing with his eyes closed.

The curation of the show is the result of years of research. This work was conducted in partnership with the Willem de Kooning Foundation to uncover new insights into his process.

The Future of de Kooning’s Legacy

This comprehensive look at de Kooning’s sketches may lead to a broader re-evaluation of how the public perceives Abstract Expressionism. Future scholars could view his drawings not as mere preparations, but as primary works of art.

Willem de Kooning Drawing

Given the scale of the research involved, this exhibition could potentially serve as a blueprint for how other postwar artists’ preparatory works are exhibited in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can visitors see the exhibition?

The exhibition opens on June 14 and runs through September 20 at the Art Institute of Chicago.

How many works are featured in the show?

The exhibition brings together more than 200 works from private collections, museums, and institutions.

What is the significance of this show for the Art Institute of Chicago?

This marks the first solo presentation of Willem de Kooning’s work at the museum since 1969.

Do you believe an artist’s preparatory sketches offer more insight into their genius than their finished masterpieces?