Gallery Location: Friendships in the New York School Tour (4 works)

The 1950s and ’60s in modern American art were defined by one of the most influential yet informal groups in art history: the New York School. This group of painters, writers, and musicians sought to differentiate themselves from the School of Paris, which included Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall. Their network of interactions made significant contributions to American modern art, particularly in the development of Abstract Expressionism. The movement blended post–World War II industrialism with the emotional intensity of the destruction of the war. Artists experimented with color, technique, and figuration, focusing on expressing their inner world.

The New York School was not a club, but rather a network of artists who met in cafes, bars, and studios to showcase their techniques, receive advice, and share their work. The influence of the New York School has continued throughout the development of modern art, with contemporary artists resembling the threads of abstraction, color, technique, and figuration in their works. In this tour, we encourage you to examine works from some of the most influential artists of the school, with a focus on the threads that connect their works to each other, or encourage separation.

—Irmak Ersoz ‘24
View Friendships in the New York School Self-Guided Tour Card

Please note: The museum invited Stanford students to develop themed tours that reflect their perspectives and interpretation of collection works. Each student perspective expresses the individual point of view of its author.