Frank Stella

Frank Stella, born in 1936 in Malden, Massachusetts, is a major American artist of minimalism and abstract expressionism. Since the 1960s, Frank Stella has become famous for his canvases with bold geometric shapes, evolving from monochrome towards vibrant compositions as well as his lithographs. Stella defies artistic conventions with his series Black Paintings and Protractor, exploring the relationship between color, form, and space. Frank Stella's impact transcends painting, extending to sculpture, lithographs and impressionism.

THE ARTWORKS OF FRANK STELLA: AN END IN ITSELF

Frank Stella’s first solo exhibition in 1960 presented his Black Paintings, the culmination of his reflection on painting as an object. His works mark his departure from abstract expressionism.

Stella's compositions, characterized by regular black bands separated by thin white lines, explore the opposition between shapes and colors. Frank Stella uses painting and lithographs as an end in itself, not as a means of expression or representation.

FRANK STELLA'S ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS

As described by the Royal Academy of Arts, following his graduation from the prestigious Princeton University, Frank Stella moved to New York City and discovered the works of the great artists Franz Kline and Jackson Pollock. Both Jackson Pollock and Franz Kline are masters of the abstract expressionism movement and became inspirations to Frank Stella's art as well as many others at the time. To this day, Pollock and Kline are inspirations to abstract expressionist artists everywhere. Frank Stella has earned his space as a master of his craft despite separating himself from abstract expressionism later in his life and has, without a doubt, inspired many artists in their journey.

FROM CANVASES CUT INTO MINIMALISM

Frank Stella innovates with the concept of “cut canvases,” where the outline merges with the represented geometric forms. Stella experiments with different colors and supports, ranging from aluminum to steel. From the 1970s, he incorporates relief elements and is inspired by the Baroque movement.

Since the 1980s, Frank Stella has turned to sculpture, thus expanding his artistic field almost exclusively. Stella's work marks the beginning of the minimalist movement, redefining the boundaries of classical geometry and exploring new artistic dimensions.

FRANK STELLA: MULTI-AWARD-WINNING ARTIST

Frank Stella’s artworks have led the artist to receive many awards for his longstanding work. Among his most notable distinctions is the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation Prize in 1959, received at just 23 years old. Frank Stella was also the recipient of the prestigious New York Governor’s Arts Award in 1989. In 2011, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour in the United States.

FRANK STELLA IN EXHIBITION

As demonstrated by his many distinctions, Frank Stella's art is recognised by many as some of the most relevant of our time. Stella's work has, in the past, been the subject of many large solo exhibitions in Europe, America and Asia. To this day, Frank Stella's paintings are often exhibited all around the world and are sought by collectors everywhere.

ACQUIRE A LIMITED EDITION BY FRANK STELLA ON RISE ART

Discover on Rise Art a selection of exceptional limited editions by Frank Stella available for sale. Colourful and geometric, Frank Stella’s artworks bring a graphic and design touch to an interior, in addition to being fantastic collector’s pieces.

Like Frank Stella, some of our artists are also inspired by masters of the abstract expressionism movement such as Jackson Pollock and Frank Kline. Frédérique Bodinier even references directly Jackson Pollock in her piece Hommage à Jackson Pollock, but it also possible to notice a dialogue between this generation of abstract expressionist and the later with works such as Bright Spirit by Ansgar Dressler or Supersonic by Robert Dunt, for example.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ABSTRACT MINIMALISM

If you are interested in learning more about the abstract minimalist movement, we recommend our guide on the subject, highlighting both the history of the movement, which Frank Stella heavily contributed to, and the artists paving the way for this artistic current.