Wide World of Abstract Expressionism

Roberta Smith reviews a show featuring small scale American Abstraction at the Robert Miller Gallery in Chelsea. The show introduces some unknown artists and some portentous work by well-known artists. It shows how popular Abstract Expressionism from the 1930's until the late 50's. Smith argues that work in the style canonized by Greenberg and Rosenberg often brought out the best in artists. Some works hint at the later mature style of artists such as Morris Louis and Alma Thomas. A dripped-paint work by Janet Sobol from 1946-48 is a reminder that the "all-over" style of painting did not start in the late 40's with Jackson Pollock.