American artists were not that well known in the decades after the American Revolution. Artistically, America was still considered to be a backwater by Europeans though it already has large cities such as New York and Chicago at that time. This elitist outlook and snobbish attitude was further reinforced by the fact that artists who wanted to make a name for themselves, made it a point to go to Europe in order to study art there.
It was not until the 20th Century particularly in the years after the Second World War that artists from the United States started to be recognized in other countries. That was the time when the United States became a super power and the sole protector of the Western World.
Famous American Artists
These artists who became famous are mostly painters of modern art. Here are just a few of the most famous artists from America:
Andy Warhol 1928-1987- Known for his pop art works featuring famous and not so famous people and everyday branded products, Warhol redefined modern art. Today his works are the most sought after pieces in the art world fetching huge sums of money.
Georgia O’Keefe 1887-1986- Georgia O’Keeffe lived a long and fruitful life producing a great amount of work. She captured the harsh beauty of the American West on her canvas and she showed that beauty exists on different levels.
Norman Rockwell 1894-1978-Rockwell is a graphic artist and illustrator whose works is familiar with the American public because they appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post for more than four decades. His style of drawing is as American as the Statue of Liberty.
Andrew Wyeth 1917-2009- Wyeth comes from a famous family of American artists. He did not follow the trend of abstract painting during its heyday but instead went on with his own style. Despite going his own way, critics and art lovers have praised his work nevertheless.
Jackson Pollock 1912-1956- Pollock is one of the major names when it comes to abstract expressionism. When people think of abstract painting today, what mostly comes to their minds are the works of Pollock. His drip paintings have a distinctive style to it that sets it apart. Intensely private, Pollock died in an accident linked to drinking.
These are just some of the biggest names when it comes to the visual arts in the United States. There are more American artists today who have made a name for themselves.