A rare opportunity to see a museum-quality show of works by Bay Area Figurative giant Richard Diebenkorn and legendary New York School Abstract Expressionist Franz Kline is offered by the Alex Bult Gallery this month. Drawn from the collection of Wayne Thiebaud, the works on view are fascinating examples of each artist’s work.
Thiebaud, who took a sabbatical from teaching at Sacramento Junior College (now Sacramento City College) in 1956, went to Manhattan to study and work. While there, he became acquainted with several of the Abstract Expressionists, among them Willem de Kooning and Kline.
Visiting Kline in his studio, Thiebaud saw great numbers of small studies done on New York City telephone book pages scattered on the floor. At de Kooning’s suggestion, Kline started blowing these quick studies of abstract brushstrokes into paintings on large canvases that made him internationally famous.
While discussing teaching with Kline, who did not approve
Article source: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/01/17/6075606/art-review-a-rare-opportunity.html