Jack Tworkov (1900-1982) was an artist at the forefront of American painting for seven decades. He forged a disciplined aesthetic through techniques, transitions, and variations on compositions that score an artistic career which continues today to be avidly discussed and celebrated—one constant being Tworkov’s gestural “mark.”

Born in Biala Podlaska, Russian Empire, in 1900. Tworkov emigrated to the United States (1913) with his mother and younger sister, Janice Biala. He studies English at Columbia University (BA ‘23) with the intent to become a writer but after experiencing the paintings by Cézanne and Matisse for the first time, becomes determined to study art. Begins study at the National Academy of Design with Ivan Olinsky followed by briefly studying with Charles Hawthorne (’23). That year he hickhiked his way to Provincetown to meet Edwin Dickinson. Returning to Provincetown (‘24), he studied with Ross Moffett and meets Karl Knaths with whom he shares a love of Cézanne, and who introduced him to the work of Kandinsky, Klee, and Miró. Studies at the Art Student’s League (1925-26) with Guy Pène du Bois and Boardman Robinson. Becomes a United States citizen (June 28, 1928) and exhibits with New England Society of Contemporary Art and Provincetown Art Association. Works with John Dos Passos at New Playwrights’ Theatre, New York. Begins painting year round in Provincetown (‘29). Exhibits at Société Anonyme, New York.

Travels to Europe, his first return since emigrating (‘33). Begins psychoanalysis (‘33). Participates in Treasury Department’s Public Works of Art Project, New York (‘34). Marries Rachel Wolodarsky (‘35). First child Hermine born (‘39). Works in easel division of WPA Federal Art Project (through ‘41). Meets Willem de Kooning, their friendship continues through 50s. First solo exhibition at ACA Gallery, New York (‘40). Second daughter Helen born (‘43). Makes automatic drawings in ink a dramatic departure from academic training (‘44). During World War II briefly stops painting to work as draftsman; when he resumes, begins experimenting with abstraction based in academia–study of the figure and still lifes. One-man show at Charles Egan Gallery, New York (‘47) and makes the decision to exhibit a series of still lifes instead of abstract work. Takes a studio adjoining Willem de Kooning’s at 85 Fourth Avenue; the two artists’ close association, discussion and exchange of ideas factor into both artists’ development in the early 50s leading to their mature Abstract Expressionist Style. Tworkov would maintain this studio until ‘53.  First solo museum exhibition where first museum acquisition occurred at Baltimore Museum of Art (‘48). Teaches painting at American University, Washington, DC (‘48-51). Becomes a founding member of legendary Eighth Street Club (‘49).

Participates in the regular discussions and meetings of The Club. Writes historic essay on Chaim Soutine for Art News, which draws important comparisons between Soutine and current Abstract Expressionist gesture painting (‘50). Teaches at Pratt Institute. Visiting artist Black Mountain College (‘52). His paintings tour eight European cities as part of The New American Painting organized by Dorothy Miller for the International Program of the Museum of Modern Art (’58). Develops mature Abstract Expressionist style; spontaneous flame-like brushstrokes bordering by loose scaffolding-like structure. Participates in Documenta II, Kassel, Germany (’59). Exhibits American Vanguard Art for Paris, organized by the Sidney Janis for Galerie de France exhibition includes de Kooning, Gorky, Pollock and others (‘62). Elected Chair of the Art Department at the School of Art and Architecture at Yale University. As chair, Tworkov invited known artists to teach, including Bernard Chaet, Al Held, Lester Johnson, Knox Martin, George Wardlaw. His students of that era were Jennifer Bartlett, Judith Bernstein, Chuck Close, Rackstraw Downes, Nancy Graves, Brice Marden, Howardena Pindell, Richard Serra, and William T. Williams. By late 60s work moves away from gesture and towards structure and geometry. Becomes Professor of Painting, Emeritus, Yale University School of Art (‘69).

Continues to teach around the country as visiting artist and exhibit work in United States and Europe including Artist-in-Residence, American Academy, Rome (‘72) and Visiting Critic, Royal College of Art, London (’74), and Andrew Carnegie Visiting Professor of Art, Cooper Union (‘75). Later works defined by strong line, veiled color, and delicate brushwork that reveal the artist at the height of his maturity. These are contemplative works somehow tender, yet retain the underlying strength and structure so characteristic of Tworkov. Remains active artistically, intellectually, and professionally until the last months of his life. Dies in September in his home in Provincetown, MA (‘82).

Monographic institutional presentations have included Paintings by Jack Tworkov, Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore (’48), Paintings by Jack Tworkov, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis (’57), Recent Paintings by Jack Tworkov, Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven (‘61), Jack Tworkov: A Retrospective Exhibition, organized by The Whitney Museum of American Art, New York (‘64); traveled to Washington Gallery of Modern Art, Washington, D.C., Pasadena Art Museum, Pasadena, San Francisco Museum of Art, San Francisco, University Art Museum, University of Texas, Austin, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Poses Institute of Fine Arts, Brandeis University, Waltham. Jack Tworkov: Recent Paintings, organized by the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York (‘71). Jack Tworkov: Paintings and Drawing, 1968-1975, The New Gallery of Contemporary Art, Cleveland, (‘75); traveled to Sullivant Gallery, Ohio State University, Columbus, Kilcawley Center Art Gallery, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati. Jack Tworkov: Paintings 1950-1978, Third Eye Centre, Glasgow (‘79), Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh, UK, Academy Gallery, Liverpool, UK, Ulster Museum, Belfast, Ireland, Hatton Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. Jack Tworkov: Fifteen Years of Painting, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York (‘82). Jack Tworkov: Works on Paper, 1933-1982, Mint Museum, Charlotte (‘82).

Significant posthumous institutional exhibitions include Jack Tworkov: Paintings, 1928–1982, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia (‘87), Jack Tworkov 1935-1982: An Abstract Expressionist Inventing Form, Boston College Museum of Art, Chestnut Hill (‘94), Jack Tworkov: Against Extremes, UBS Art Gallery, traveled to Provincetown Art Association and Museum (2009). Jack Tworkov: The Accident of Choice, the artist at Black Mountain College, Black Mountain Museum and Arts Center, Asheville (’11), Jack Tworkov: Important Paintings from the 1970s, Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown (’15).

Tworkov received many prestigious awards and honors including Winner, Corcoran Gold Medal, 28th Biennial Exhibition of American Painting, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC (‘63), Guggenheim Fellowship (’70), Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, Maryland Institute of Art (’71), Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Columbia University (’72), Artist Grant, National Endowment for the Arts (’73), The Medal for Painting, Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture (’74), Distinguished Teaching of Art, Award, College Art Association of America (’76), Columbia University, Rhode Island School of Design (’79), and Elected Member, American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters (’81).

The Estate of Jack Tworkov is exclusively represented by Van Doren Waxter.