This exhibition of selected American artists explores the diverse approaches to abstraction developed since 1950, from the forceful brushwork of Lee Krasner to the contemplative canvases and reliefs of Ellsworth Kelly and the enigmatic wood forms of Martin Puryear. The variety of materials and techniques included in this presentation testifies to abstraction’s enduring potential as a form of artistic expression.

Approaching American Abstraction is the result of an innovative partnership established in 2009 between the Doris and Donald Fisher Collection and the San Francisco Museum of Museum Art. The galleries showcase the shared strengths and complementary nature of our holdings through presentations that blend artworks from the Fishers with pieces from the museum’s collection and occasionally other lenders.