Quote of Mary F. Francy, in her biography-notes: 'De Kooning, Elaine', for 'Dictionary of Women-artists, Vol. 1, ed. Delia Gaze, Taylor & Francis, 1997, p.442
“
It was Elaine de Kooning who perhaps best described the nature of Abstract Expressionism when she wrote: 'The main difference, then, between abstract and non-abstract art is that the abstract artists does not have to choose a subject. But whether or not he chooses, he always ends up with one.'
— Quote of Mary F. Francy
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "It was Elaine de Kooning who perhaps best described the nature of Abstract Expressionism when she wrote: 'The main difference, then, between abstract and non-abstract art is that the abstract artists does not have to choose a subject. But whether or not he chooses, he always ends up with one.'" in the context of "Quote of Mary F. Francy, in her biography-notes: 'De Kooning, Elaine', for 'Dictionary of Women-artists, Vol. 1, ed. Delia Gaze, Taylor & Francis, 1997, p.442" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Elaine de Kooning" (Quotes about Elaine de Kooning)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Tags
About Elaine de Kooning
Elaine de Kooning (March 12, 1918 - February 1, 1989) was an Abstract Expressionist and American Figurative Expressionist woman-painter in the post-World War II era. She wrote extensively on the art of the period and was an editorial associate for Art News magazine. On December 9, 1943, she married painter Willem de Kooning.
About Elaine de Kooning
Elaine de Kooning (March 12, 1918 - February 1, 1989) was an Abstract Expressionist and American Figurative Expressionist woman-painter in the post-World War II era. She wrote extensively on the art of the period and was an editorial associate for Art News magazine. On December 9, 1943, she married painter Willem de Kooning.
View all quotes →