de kooning
LowFormal, Artistic, Academic
Definition
Meaning
The surname of the influential Dutch-American abstract expressionist painter Willem de Kooning (1904–1997).
Used as a metonym for his artistic style (especially his abstracted, energetic figures like the "Woman" series), his body of work, or for abstract expressionism generally. Also used attributively to describe art, techniques, or aesthetics reminiscent of his work.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is inherently proper and referential. It is not a common noun and carries specific cultural and art-historical weight. Its use outside of direct reference to the artist or his style is rare and usually metaphorical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling convention retains the Dutch 'de' in lowercase.
Connotations
In both varieties, the name connotes high modernism, gestural abstraction, post-war American art, and a specific blend of figuration and abstraction.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the artist's primary career and recognition being in the United States.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
attributive use (de Kooning painting)possessive (de Kooning's brushwork)of-phrase (a work of de Kooning)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No established idioms. The name itself functions as a cultural reference point.]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in art market contexts: 'The de Kooning fetched a record price at auction.'
Academic
Common in art history, criticism, and cultural studies: 'De Kooning's interrogation of the figure disrupted painterly conventions.'
Everyday
Very low. Likely only in discussions about art or museums: 'We saw an amazing de Kooning at the gallery.'
Technical
Specific to art conservation, provenance research, and art authentication.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The gallery has a distinctly de Kooning feel to its collection.
- Her earlier work was more de Kooning in its gestural fury.
American English
- His technique is very de Kooning, all slashing brushstrokes and agitated forms.
- They admired the de Kooning-esque energy of the piece.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We saw a painting by de Kooning.
- De Kooning was a famous abstract painter from the last century.
- The museum has one of de Kooning's 'Woman' paintings.
- The artist cited de Kooning as a major influence on her aggressive brushwork.
- Critics often compare his dynamic compositions to those of de Kooning.
- While Pollock dripped, de Kooning slashed, creating a corporeal anxiety in his celebrated 'Woman' series that challenged both abstraction and representation.
- The de Kooning retrospective traces his evolution from biomorphic abstraction to the fraught figuration of his middle period and back again.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'The COO (KOO) of painting was a king (NING) of abstract expressionism – de Kooning.'
Conceptual Metaphor
ARTIST IS A FORCE OF NATURE (e.g., 'a de Kooning erupting on canvas'), ARTISTIC STYLE IS A SIGNATURE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate the surname 'de Kooning'. It is a proper name. Writing 'де Кунинг' is a transliteration, not a translation.
- Avoid interpreting 'de' as a preposition meaning 'of' or 'from'.
- The name refers specifically to one artist, not a general style, though it can be used attributively.
Common Mistakes
- Capitalizing 'de' as 'De Kooning'. (The Dutch 'van', 'de', 'van der' are typically lowercase when the full name is given, but often capitalized when the surname is used alone, e.g., 'a painting by De Kooning'. Practice varies.)
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'He painted a de kooning').
- Misspelling as 'de Kunning' or 'de Koening'.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'de Kooning' primarily associated with?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is pronounced /də ˈkoʊnɪŋ/ ('duh KOH-ning'). The 'de' is like the 'de' in 'defend', and 'Kooning' rhymes with 'owning'.
No. It is a proper noun, the surname of a specific artist. It is only used in contexts related to art history, criticism, or the art market.
When writing the full name 'Willem de Kooning', the 'd' is traditionally lowercase. When using the surname alone in a sentence (e.g., 'a painting by de Kooning'), style guides vary; it is often capitalized in English for clarity ('De Kooning').
Not accurately. It specifically refers to the style of Willem de Kooning—characterized by gestural, often figurative abstraction with aggressive, painterly execution. Using it for other types of abstraction (like color field painting) would be incorrect.