Elaine de Kooning & Willem de Kooning

Elaine and Willem de Kooning met in 1938 in New York City. Willem began giving Elaine drawing lesson and often pushed her to explore artistic challenges outside of her comfort zone. According to Lee Hall, friend of Elaine and former president of the Rhode Island School of Design, “Elaine said many times that Willem de Kooning provided her with the best teaching she ever had and that the skills he taught her became the foundation for her confidence as a portrait painter.” The fame Willem gained in the art community created opportunities for both of the de Koonings, Elaine supporting Willem’s artistic career over her own until their divorce.