The Resume

(April 24, 1904-March 19, 1997)
Born in Rotterdam, Netherlands
Abstract expressionist painter
Works include 'Asheville' (1948), 'Woman I' (1952), 'Woman II' (1952), 'Woman III' (1953), 'Woman IV' (1953) and 'Interchange' (1955)
Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1964)

Why he might be annoying:

He came to the US as a stowaway (1926).
He destroyed a number of his works in the 1930s and 40s, later commenting 'I was so modest then I was vain.'
He was an alcoholic who drank until he blacked out.
Critics debated whether his simplified 80s paintings were a bold change in direction or the result of his talents deteriorating from alcohol and Alzheimer's.
He said, 'I always seem to be wrapped in the melodrama of vulgarity.'

Why he might not be annoying:

A New York Times critic described his 'choirboy good looks and charismatic charm, a kind of exotic Gary Cooper.'
Roy Lichtenstein as a young artist would make trips to Greenwich Village just to watch de Kooning at work.
He turned down an honorary degree, saying 'I can't see myself as an academic.'
He set a record for a living American artist when 'Interchange' sold at auction for $20.6 million (1989).
He was named one of the most influential artists of the 20th century by ARTNews.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• 20th Century Painters
• ARTNews' Most Influential Artists of the 20th Century
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 24]
• I am on a U.S. Postage Stamp [D-G]
• I Died in 1997 (Ranked: 92)
• I Have Dementia/Alzheimer's
• I'm Dutch
• Look at Me, I'm Sitting on My Chair Backwards
• Look at Me, I've Been Caught Smoking
• Painters
• Profiles 27001-27250 (Ranked: 27103)
• Residents of the Hotel Chelsea
• Residents/Vacationers of the Hamptons
• U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 16 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 17 Votes: 58.82% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 16 Votes: 68.75% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 7 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 21 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying