Lee Krasner (1908-1984) USA

Daughter of two Russian-Jewish immigrants, Lee Krasner knew that she wanted to study art from an early age. Krasner attended Women’s Art School of Cooper Union where she attained a certificate in teaching art and then the National Academy of Design where she was classically trained. As Krasner joined the American Abstract Artists group she became acquainted with artists such as Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko. Despite Krasner’s varying style and technique, she is considered a pioneer of Abstract Expressionism because of her rhythmic, kinetic and expressive way of painting. In 1945 Krasner and Jackson Pollock married, which naturally resulted in the artists influencing each other’s works. Thanks to Krasner, Pollock was introduced to many artists and collectors, and Krasner was a vital part in retaining Pollock's legacy after his death in 1956. Krasner is one of the few female artists to have a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, held six months after her death in 1984.