Al Held was an American painter born in 1928. He was known for his abstract works that played with perspective and space. Held originally studied biology, but after serving in the Army during WWII, he decided to pursue a career in art. He studied at a number of prominent schools, including the Art Students League and Yale University.
In the 1950s, Held began working in an abstract expressionist style. However, he quickly moved away from this and began creating artwork that challenged traditional notions of perspective and space. He painted in a number of different styles throughout his lifetime, including op art, hard-edge abstraction, and geometric abstraction.
One of Held’s most famous works is his 1967 painting “Black to White Structure”, which features a series of black and white rectangles that seemingly disappear into a point on the horizon. This work is a perfect example of Held’s interest in playing with perspective and creating a sense of space that is both disorienting and engaging.
Held’s work was influential in the development of the hard-edge abstraction and geometric abstraction movements, and his importance as an artist has only continued to grow in the years since his death in 2005. His work can be found in collections all over the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Held’s legacy in the art world is truly remarkable. He continued to create innovative and exciting works until the end of his life, and his willingness to explore new techniques and styles was a major influence on subsequent generations of artists. He will always be remembered as one of America’s greatest painters, and his contributions to the art world will continue to be celebrated for many years to come.
