Little Cherry 1965

Hans Hofmann made "Little Cherry" with oil on canvas sometime in the mid-20th century. While the title might suggest a still life, what we see here is a move toward abstraction. Hofmann was part of the abstract expressionist movement, a distinctly American phenomenon that redefined the relationship between the artist, the canvas, and the viewer. This was a generation that was formed by the events of the Second World War, and many of them were deeply affected by it. So, in rejecting traditional forms and techniques, abstract expressionists sought a new visual language to express the unspeakable. When we look at this painting, we can understand that there's no cherry to see here. Instead, the artist explores color, form, and texture for their own sake. Understanding Hofmann's place in this movement can help us to appreciate the radical shift in artistic values that was taking place in postwar America. By consulting historical sources, we can better understand how the cultural and political shifts of the time influenced the development of this unique form of artistic expression.