Definition

Proper noun A renowned American painter, recognized as a leading figure in the movements of Minimalism and Post-Painterly Abstraction. His work is characterized by its emphasis on the flatness of the canvas, geometric forms, and the elimination of expressive brushwork, focusing instead on the objecthood of the painting itself.

Usage Examples

• The museum is hosting a major retrospective of Frank Stella.
• Frank Stella's early "Black Paintings" were pivotal in the development of Minimalist art.
• Critics often discuss how Frank Stella challenged traditional notions of composition and illusion in painting.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used attributively to describe works, styles, or periods associated with the artist.
  • The gallery acquired a Frank Stella print from his "Protractor" series.
  • His approach is considered Frank Stella-esque in its rigorous geometry.

Variants and Related Words

• Stella, Frank Philip Stella (full name)
• Stellaesque (adj.): Resembling or characteristic of Frank Stella's artistic style, particularly in its use of bold, systematic geometry.
• Minimalism (n.): The artistic movement with which Frank Stella is closely associated.
• Post-Painterly Abstraction (n.): A term coined by critic Clement Greenberg describing a style of abstract painting that rejects the gestural brushwork of Abstract Expressionism, a category including Stella's early work.

Synonyms

• The artist (when contextually clear)
• The minimalist painter

Related Phrases and Contexts

• "What you see is what you see.": A famous quote attributed to Frank Stella regarding his artwork, emphasizing its literal, non-referential nature.
• Shaped canvas: A key innovation in Stella's work, where the canvas support is not a standard rectangle but cut to match the geometric form of the painted design.

Noun

1. United States minimalist painter (born in 1936)