A powerful example of Abstract Expressionism, Lee Krasner's 'Night Creatures' features bold brushstrokes and dynamic composition. Swirling organic forms in black and white create a sense of movement and unseen energy.

Lee Krasner (1908-1984) was a significant figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement. Born Lena Krassner in Brooklyn, New York, to Russian-Jewish immigrants, she studied art at the Women's Art School of the Cooper Union and the National Academy of Design. Krasner's early work was influenced by cubism and geometric abstraction, but she later developed a more gestural and improvisational style. She was married to Jackson Pollock, and their relationship had a mutual influence on their artistic development. 'Night Creatures' exemplifies Krasner's mature style, characterised by bold, energetic brushstrokes and a dynamic composition. The painting features a series of swirling, organic forms rendered in black and white, with touches of red. These shapes evoke a sense of movement and energy, suggesting the presence of unseen beings or forces. The composition is dense and all-over, with no single point of focus, drawing the viewer's eye across the entire surface of the canvas. The limited colour palette adds to the painting's intensity, creating a stark contrast between light and dark.