Artist Project: Wolf KahnBy Taylor Barnhill4/3/10Period 7
Vital StatisticsBorn in 1927 in Stuttgart, Germany.German/AmericanMaleMarried to Emily Mason. Has two daughters, Cecily and Melany. Lives in New York and Vermont
Key Personal EventsFled Germany for America in 1940, giving him exposure to both German and American art.Attended an art and music high school in New York City.Studied at the Hans Hofmann School, acquired his true passion for painting.Kahn continued on to the University of Chicago.Kahn spent time as a lumberjack.Traveled to places all over the world and painted landscapes, expanding art skills and techniques.Kahn lived in Italy and this inspired him to use light.At age 80, has a vision impairment that has improved his art.
Key Historical EventsLived in Nazi Germany which added meaning to his art.Lived in America through the 1950s and 1960s in times of painterly freedom.New ways of transportation, like airplanes , allowed Kahn to travel the world at ease.
Influence of Art WorldAttended a school under the teachings of Hans Hofmann. Used Hofmann’s practice of using nature as a starting point in a painting.Inspired by Matisse’ palate of colors.Inspired by Rothko’s color choices and usage of Color Field.Inspired by American Impressionism.As art changed over time, for example when pop art became popular, it inspired Kahn to continue as a landscape painter but get away from description.Kahn received numerous art awards.Kahn’s views have made him a highly regarded colorist and admired landscapist.
Stylistic TraitsAbstract Color FieldRealismLandscape sceneryPastels and paintsEntire spectrum of color
Example #1Dark Barn, Blue Sky -2007Abstract Color FieldRealismLandscape sceneryPastelsMany different colors of the spectrum
Example #2Summer -1983Abstract Color FieldRealismLandscape sceneryPaintsBright colors form the spectrum
Example #3Evening over the Valley -1975Abstract Color FieldRealismLandscape sceneryPaintsEarthy dark colors of the spectrum
Example #4Upper Woods-2006Abstract Color FieldRealismLandscape sceneryPastelsBright spectrum of color
My Original ArtTitled Beach at Sunset because its my interpretation of a sunset at a New England beach.I chose to paint a beach because it is a common topic scene in Kahn’s art.I used one of Kahn’s mediums and used Color Field, like Wolf Kahn does.I also added many colors from browns and blues to bright pinks and oranges.It was hard to decide what colors to use and blend them together.Strengths of my art: using the right spectrum of color.Weaknesses of my art: Blending of colors.
Thanks! Any Questions?

TaylorBarnhillArtistProject

  • 1.
    Artist Project: WolfKahnBy Taylor Barnhill4/3/10Period 7
  • 2.
    Vital StatisticsBorn in1927 in Stuttgart, Germany.German/AmericanMaleMarried to Emily Mason. Has two daughters, Cecily and Melany. Lives in New York and Vermont
  • 3.
    Key Personal EventsFledGermany for America in 1940, giving him exposure to both German and American art.Attended an art and music high school in New York City.Studied at the Hans Hofmann School, acquired his true passion for painting.Kahn continued on to the University of Chicago.Kahn spent time as a lumberjack.Traveled to places all over the world and painted landscapes, expanding art skills and techniques.Kahn lived in Italy and this inspired him to use light.At age 80, has a vision impairment that has improved his art.
  • 4.
    Key Historical EventsLivedin Nazi Germany which added meaning to his art.Lived in America through the 1950s and 1960s in times of painterly freedom.New ways of transportation, like airplanes , allowed Kahn to travel the world at ease.
  • 5.
    Influence of ArtWorldAttended a school under the teachings of Hans Hofmann. Used Hofmann’s practice of using nature as a starting point in a painting.Inspired by Matisse’ palate of colors.Inspired by Rothko’s color choices and usage of Color Field.Inspired by American Impressionism.As art changed over time, for example when pop art became popular, it inspired Kahn to continue as a landscape painter but get away from description.Kahn received numerous art awards.Kahn’s views have made him a highly regarded colorist and admired landscapist.
  • 6.
    Stylistic TraitsAbstract ColorFieldRealismLandscape sceneryPastels and paintsEntire spectrum of color
  • 7.
    Example #1Dark Barn,Blue Sky -2007Abstract Color FieldRealismLandscape sceneryPastelsMany different colors of the spectrum
  • 8.
    Example #2Summer -1983AbstractColor FieldRealismLandscape sceneryPaintsBright colors form the spectrum
  • 9.
    Example #3Evening overthe Valley -1975Abstract Color FieldRealismLandscape sceneryPaintsEarthy dark colors of the spectrum
  • 10.
    Example #4Upper Woods-2006AbstractColor FieldRealismLandscape sceneryPastelsBright spectrum of color
  • 11.
    My Original ArtTitledBeach at Sunset because its my interpretation of a sunset at a New England beach.I chose to paint a beach because it is a common topic scene in Kahn’s art.I used one of Kahn’s mediums and used Color Field, like Wolf Kahn does.I also added many colors from browns and blues to bright pinks and oranges.It was hard to decide what colors to use and blend them together.Strengths of my art: using the right spectrum of color.Weaknesses of my art: Blending of colors.
  • 12.