Helen Frankenthaler (1928 – 2011), was an American abstract expressionist painter whose career spanned six decades. She was a major contributor to the history of postwar American painting. Her groundbreaking techniques and lyrical approach to color and form helped define the Color Field movement, influencing generations of artists and leaving an indelible mark on the art world. A Pioneer of Innovation: The “Soak-Stain” Technique Frankenthaler’s most significant innovation was her “soak-stain” technique. Moving away from the thick impasto of many Abstract Expressionists, she began pouring thinned paint directly onto unprimed canvas. This allowed the paint to literally soak into the fabric, creating a seamless, translucent fusion of color and support. The…