Krasner and Pollock

A survey of two icons of Abstract Expressionism that examines their distinct but connected careers and artistic legacies

Krasner and Pollock: Past Continuous examines the connected lives and distinct practices of Lee Krasner (1908–1984) and Jackson Pollock (1912–1956), two trailblazing artists of the twentieth century. Spanning the full arc of their careers—including before they met, their married years, and Krasner’s life after Pollock’s death—this book illustrates more than one hundred paintings and works on paper. The publication highlights the range and art historical importance of Krasner’s work, evaluates Pollock’s significance anew, and considers the pair as artistic interlocutors against the backdrop of the postwar United States. Essays explore key periods in their creative trajectories, from their parallel emergence in the 1940s New York art scene to their later move to Springs, Long Island. The authors situate the artists within their historical context and trace important breakthroughs in their careers, such as Pollock’s deployment of the “drip” technique and Krasner’s turn to collage. Personal reflections from twenty-first-century artists attest to Krasner’s and Pollock’s ongoing legacies.

Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Distributed by Yale University Press

Exhibition Schedule:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
(October 4, 2026–January 31, 2027)