Mysteries 1972

Lee Krasner painted Mysteries, a canvas of bold forms in a stark palette, sometime in the early 1970s. It's a fascinating example of how abstract art can reflect broader social currents. Made in the United States, this work exists within the context of the post-war art world, where Abstract Expressionism was reaching its zenith. It's worth remembering that during this period, museums and galleries played a crucial role in shaping artistic reputations, and Krasner, like many women artists, faced institutional biases. The raw, expressive quality of Mysteries can be seen as a reaction against the more formal and rigid artistic conventions of the past. Was Krasner commenting on the social structures of her time? Was she self-consciously challenging the institutions of art? We can only speculate. As historians, we delve into letters, archives, and critical writings to understand the world in which Krasner created. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.