Mary Abbott

(1921-2019)

Born into New York Society, Abbott became a fashion model.  Her early interest in art led her to courses at the Art Students League in the late 1930’s. In 1946 she met sculptor David Hare, who introduced her to an experimental school called The Subjects of the Artist, which was a sort of anti-art school started in 1948 by Hare, William Baziotes, Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman, and Robert Motherwell.

The Art of Mary Abbott

In the world of abstract expressionism, Mary Abbott stands out as a visionary artist who captured the raw emotions and energy of her surroundings through her unique brush strokes and vibrant color palette. Abbott was a member of the New York School of abstract expressionists in the late 1940s and 1950s. Her paintings often feature swirling lines and vibrant hues that seem to dance across the canvas, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the energy and emotion of her work.

Mary Abbott Biography

Born in New York City in 1921, Abbott’s family lineage traced back to John Adams,the second president and John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States. Her father was a submarine commander and a member of Theodore Roosevelt’s cabinet. Her mother was a poet and syndicated columnist with Hearst newspapers. Her family would spend time in the summer in Southampton, New York in Long Island. Abbott was a great beauty and began a career as a model and appeared on the covers of Vogue, Charm, Harper’s Bazaar, and Mademoiselle.

Her formal education in art began at the Art Students League of New York where she studied under George Grosz. Abbott also worked with Barnett Newman, David Hare and Mark Rothko. Influenced by the abstract expressionist movement of the 1940s and 50s, it was during this time that Abbott’s unique artistic voice began to emerge.

Mary Abbott’s Legacy

Throughout her career, Abbott’s art has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, gaining recognition for its unique approach to abstraction and its fearless exploration of the human experience. Today, her work continues to captivate audiences.

Through her bold and evocative paintings, Abbott invites us to see the world through her eyes, to feel the depths of her emotions, and to embrace the beauty and chaos of life in all its glory. Mary Abbott may have passed away in 2019, but her legacy lives on through her art, forever immortalized in the hearts and minds of those who have had the privilege of experiencing her work.