The Impact of Mid-Century Modern Art – A New Era for Art, Architecture and Furniture

Mid-century modern art inspired artists to break traditional rules.   They incorporated new materials like metal, vinyl, glass, and plastic, and used bold colors.  However, some critics and art collectors had questioned the originality, the commercialism, and whether it was really art.  Such as Abstract Expressionism which evolved during the Mid-Century movement and challenged people to recognize that art didn’t have to be realistic or recognizable.   Although there was debate early on about Mid-century art, it is recognized as an important period in art history.  To this day, Mid-century art continues to be a favorite in both art and interior design because people appreciate the nostalgia associated with this era.  

Jackson Pollock

Abstract Expressionism

Convergence, Jackson Pollock, c. 1952

Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) studied art in New York and permanently moved there in 1943.  His big break occurred while he was working as maintenance man at the Museum of Non-Objective Painting which was later renamed the Guggenheim Museum.  At the Museum of Non-Objective Painting, Peggy Guggenheim gave Pollock a four-year contract that allowed him to paint full-time.  Pollock broke all the rules and did not constrain himself to the traditional upright easel and paint brushes.  He would lay out a canvas on the floor and utilize his “drip style”.  He would create his works of art using sticks, trowels, or knives to splatter paint as well as pour it directly from the can.  Pollock’s paintings were also called “action paintings”.  Pollock’s life ended tragically in a car accident in 1956. 

Convergence was one of Pollock’s most famous paintings.  It is a large painting measuring 93.5 inches by 155 inches.  The painting’s contrasting colors and shapes have been described as a painting that attacks the eye. I would agree with this statement.  The painting’s straight lines with the blurred infusion of colors keeps the viewer’s eyes constantly moving.  Some people believe that anyone could paint like an Abstract Expressionist artist.  However, if a person studies the painting above, I think they would see that it isn’t as easy as it looks.  I say this because of the symmetry of the design and the balance of the colors throughout the painting.

 

Free Form, Jackson Pollock, c. 1946

Free Form is considered Jackson Pollock’s first “drip” painting.  It’s smaller than some of his other paintings.  It is 19 inches by 14 inches.  I like this painting.  The three colors used in the painting, red, black and white, are my favorites and I think they are dramatic when used on combination with each other.  The size of this painting also makes it a painting that the average house could hang on the wall, as if we could ever afford it!  As Jackson’s first “drip” painting it was his statement that he was embracing unconventional painting methods and painting with a focus on emotion. Some of you may also recognize the painting from the movie “The Accountant” with Ben Affleck.  The painting was referred to in the movie as a Jackson Pollock, but it wasn’t the original and it was slightly different than the original.

 Andy Warhol

Pop Art

Campbell’s Soup I, Andy Warhol, c. 1968

Andy Warhol (1928-1987) had an interesting life. He is one of the better known mid-modern artists, however his artwork as we know it is not how he started out.  Warhol’s goal was to become a commercial artist.  In pursuit of his goal, he earned a degree in design from the Carnegie Institute of Technology.  After earning his degree, he moved to New York.  There he received assignments from Glamour magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vogue to name a few.  He was especially famous for his line drawings of women’s shoes which made him one of the most popular and highly paid illustrators in New York.

Warhol’s paintings were based on images that that he found in American mass media.  His paintings depicted news photos, celebrity head shots, film stills, comics, logos and advertisements.  He painted with bold colors, and some considered to be commercialized, both elements of mid-century modern art.  Warhol also used a non-traditional means to create his original works by turning them into photo silkscreens and then printing them onto a canvas.  The repetition of the soup cans in the work is also something to note.  Just like the soup is mass produced; Warhol repeats the soup can in the painting. 

Campbell’s Soup I is one out of 100 renderings by Andy Warhol depicting Campbell’s soup cans.  When Warhol was interviewed and asked why he chose Campbell’s soup as his subject, he said “I used to have the same lunch every day, for twenty years, I guess, the same thing over and over again.”  

 

Coca-Cola(3), Andy Warhol, c. 1962

Andy Warhol considers Coca-Cola(3) the beginning of his Pop Art style. The painting is not a painting of an actual Coca-Cola bottle but an image from a newspaper.  Now that I’ve pointed that out, I think that the viewers can visualize this image in a newspaper ad.  The lines are simple and bold while it clearly displays the commercialism of the product.  This painting is very large measuring approximately 69 inches by 54 inches.  The scale of the painting is supposed to reinforce the power of American advertising and that no matter who you are, everyone can drink a Coca-Cola. 

I think Andy Warhol’s paintings are fun, but they are not my style.  I have friends who have homes I think these paintings would look great.  Their homes are more modern where we have a more traditional home.

Ralph Goings

Photorealism

Airstream, Ralph Goings, c. 1970

Ralph Goings (1928-2016) was born in sunny California and began his art career there as well, which explains why he is best known for his sun-drenched images of trucks, trailers, and diners.  Goings always believed he would be an artist.  After serving in the Army, he attended college at the California College of Arts and Crafts and then received his master’s degree in fine art from Sacramento State University.  He first experimented with Abstract Expressionism before he found Photorealism, his real passion.  His paintings were based on photographs that he had taken.  Goings work was so good that he fooled the viewer into believing that they were seeing the actual photograph rather than a painted image.

Photorealism occurred later in the Mid-century art movement.  Photorealism paintings were a renewed emphasis on Realism which was a shift from Abstract Expressionism.  Photorealism emerged because Americans wanted to return to realistic representations in art.  Photorealism paintings were based on commercialism, media and urban life.  All of which are elements of Mid-century modern.

Airstream is a complex painting.  First the viewer sees an Airstream trailer.  However, upon taking a closer look at the painting the viewer can see the reflection of the surroundings on the surface of the trailer.  Goings was fascinated by light effects, reflections, and shadows which made the Airstream trailer a perfect subject for him.  Goings ability to paint without leaving a discernable brushstroke truly makes this painting an excellent example of Photorealism.  The viewer could easily think they are viewing a picture of the Airstream versus a painting.

 

McDonald’s Pickup, Ralph Goings, c. 1970

McDonald's Pickup is a Photorealism painting by Ralph Goings.  His paintings often focused on the daily routine of average people.  A visit to McDonalds fits into the average person’s daily life.  Who hasn’t stopped for a quick lunch or dinner on the go.  In regard to art elements that integrate with Mid-century modern, Goings work was viewed as unoriginal and commercialized.

Goings uses sharp lines to define subject matter which helps contribute to its lifelike image.  The colors used to paint the McDonalds restaurant are bright and vibrant which makes it stand out against the skyline and roadway.  He also creates a sense of depth by placing a vehicle in front and behind the restaurant as well as the power pole.

I find Goings work incredibly fascinating.  He was truly a master at replicating photographs into paintings.  If the original photograph and painting were side by side, it would be difficult to tell which is the photograph.

Works Cited

 Webber. “The Return of Mid-Century Modern: Why the Retro Style Is Trending Again.” Webber Studio, 25 Jan. 2024,https://webberstudio.com/the-return-of-mid-century-modern-why-the-retro-style-is-trending-again/#:~:text=Many%20people%20appreciate%20the%20nostalgia,modern%20design%20offers%20timeless%20appeal.

“Jackson Pollock.” The Guggenheim Museums and Foundation, www.guggenheim.org/artwork/artist/jackson-pollock?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtJ6_BhDWARIsAGanmKdbcrVCAwASaMFCtPsmPQ1aYM29NrurAh6qLLvBoSfUOm-zvwPJEkUaAiqaEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

“Convergence, 1952 by Jackson Pollock.” Jackson Pollock, www.jackson-pollock.org/convergence.jsp. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

“Jackson Pollock Painting.” Nukeart, https://nukeart.com/collections/jackson-pollock#:~:text=Pollock's%20rejection%20of%20traditional%20painting,street%20art%20to%20mixed%20media. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

D’Agostino, • Ivy. “Jackson Pollock’s Free Form.” Where Creativity Works, 2 Nov. 2020, wherecreativityworks.com/jackson-pollocks-free-form/.

Walkerart.Org, walkerart.org/collections/artists/andy-warhol?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw16O_BhDNARIsAC3i2GB0k9tU9LeZEaQkBjjk-KlXvw0aWpH6TzeB3sc-W877fgCKYeFjzZAaAjXSEALw_wcB. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

“Campbell’s Soup I.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Feb. 2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbell%27s_Soup_I.

Andy Warhol. Campbell’s Soup Cans. 1962 | Moma, www.moma.org/audio/playlist/3/4286. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Andy Warhol - Coca-Cola [3], artbridgesfoundation.org/artworks/coca-cola-3. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

“Coca-Cola (3).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Mar. 2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca-Cola_(3).

“Ralph Goings Paintings, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist/goings-ralph/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Ralphlgoings, ralphlgoings.com/downloads/goings_catalog-butler.pdf. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.