About the Artist
Paul Jenkins
Paul Jenkins (1923–2012) was an American abstract expressionist painter known for his use of flowing paints and vibrant color. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, he was influenced early on by visits to the Nelson-Atkins Museum and artists such as Thomas Hart Benton. After serving in the U.S. Maritime Service and Naval Air Corps during World War II, he studied at the Art Students League in New York under Yasuo Kuniyoshi and Morris Kantor, where he encountered leading abstract artists like Rothko and Pollock. In 1953, Jenkins moved to Europe, eventually settling between Paris and New York. Peggy Guggenheim purchased his work in 1959, helping boost his career. Inspired by Goethe’s color theories, he often titled his paintings with “Phenomena,” reflecting his belief in a dialog between artist and artwork. Jenkins described his style as “abstract phenomenism” and worked in oil, watercolor, and ink throughout his career.
