Conversation: Material Manipulation—Deconstructing Willem de Kooning's Drawings

Willem de Kooning was always pushing the limits of what so-called “traditional” drawing materials could do. Because he manipulated them so intensively, they often look very different from what we’d expect, which can make them surprisingly hard to identify. To sort out what he actually used and how he worked, we had to combine close looking with scientific analysis, along with archival research and mock-ups of the drawings.
In this conversation held in support of Willem de Kooning Drawings , exhibition conservator Margaret Holben Ellis and Ken Sutherland, Andrew W. Mellon Director of Scientific Research, discuss how their complementary expertise sheds new light on de Kooning’s unconventional use of drawing materials and deepens our understanding of the artist’s studio practice.
Support for this program is provided by the Allan McNab Endowed Fund.
This event has been moved to Fullerton Hall. If you have already registered, you will receive a new ticket with the updated location via email.
About the Speakers If you have any questions about programming, please reach out to museum-programs@artic.edu .
Closed captioning will be available for this program. For questions related to accessibility accommodations, please email access@artic.edu .