action painting
noun
(sometimes initial capital letters) Also called tachism.
a style of American abstract expressionist painting typified especially in the works of Jackson Pollack and Willem de Kooning in the 1940s, in which the furiously energetic and free application of the paint is seen as being expressive of the psychological and emotional state of the artist at the moment of creation.
Origin of action painting
An Americanism dating back to 1950–55
OTHER WORDS FROM action painting
action painter, nounWords nearby action painting
action at a distance,
action current,
action figure,
action grant,
action line,
action painting,
action potential,
action replay,
action reporter,
action stations,
action verb
British Dictionary definitions for action painting
action painting
noun
a development of abstract expressionism evolved in the 1940s, characterized by broad vigorous brush strokes and accidental effects of thrown, smeared, dripped, or spattered paint
Also called: tachisme See also abstract expressionism