action painting

or Action Painting

noun

1. Also called tachism. a style of American abstract expressionist painting typified especially in the works of Jackson Pollack and Willem de Kooning in the 1940s, in which the furiously energetic and free application of the paint is seen as being expressive of the psychological and emotional state of the artist at the moment of creation.
2. abstract expressionism.

action painting

noun

1. a development of abstract expressionism evolved in the 1940s, characterized by broad vigorous brush strokes and accidental effects of thrown, smeared, dripped, or spattered paint Also calledtachisme See also abstract expressionism

Other Words From

• action painter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of action painting¹

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55

Example Sentences

He keeps his studio door open to Marvin, who studied art history at Yale and comes alive when talking about such things as the bold gestures of action painting.

From Los Angeles Times

Dubbed "action painting," Pollock drew in the space above the canvas -- creating shapes in the air which would fall to the canvas below.

From Science Daily

It was action painting as improvisational dance, Abstract Expressionism delightfully expressing the joy of play.

From New York Times

Happenings took the painting out of action painting and left only the action.

From New York Times

We could blame it on secular modern life, but Velázquez’s cold dissections of courtly power and his vigorous action painting have proven much more popular.

From New York Times