Franz Kline

About

Abstract expressionist painter best known for black-and-white works such as "Painting Number 2." He drew several preliminary sketches on refuse telephone-book pages before actually settling into the painting.

Before Fame

He attended Boston University, where he studied art. He started out painting landscapes and cityscapes. His big break came at the Charles Egan Gallery in 1950.

Trivia

He was a good friend of artist William De Kooning, who helped him to develop his unique artistic style.

Family Life

He married the ballet dancer, Elizabeth Vincent Parsons.

Associated With

He and Jackson Pollock were categorized as "action painters" because of their intense, spontaneous method of painting.