How the CIA Secretly Funded Abstract Expressionism During the Cold War

"The work of such artists as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning wound up as part of a secret CIA program during the height of the Cold War, aimed at promoting American ideals abroad."

"The artists themselves were completely unaware that their work was being used as propaganda. On what agents called a 'long leash,' they participated in several exhibitions secretly organized by the CIA."

"Exhibitions like 'The New American Painting' visited major European cities in 1958-59 and included modern primitive works, showcasing the unexpected intersection of art and politics."

During the Cold War, American artists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko were unwittingly involved in a CIA initiative to promote American ideals abroad. Their works were featured in exhibitions organized by the CIA, such as 'The New American Painting,' which toured major European cities. While American cultural exports like fast food are widely recognized, the role of Abstract Expressionism in this propaganda effort remains less acknowledged. The artists themselves were unaware of the political implications of their art, which was used to convey a message of American superiority.

Read at Open Culture