George J. McNeil (1908-1995) was a prominent and influential artist in the Post-war American art era. He attended Pratt Institute and the Art Students' League, studying under Jan Matulka and Vaclav Vytlacil. From 1933-37, he was mentored by Hans Hofmann and became Hofmann's assistant. McNeil's involvement with the W.P.A. Federal Art Project and co-founding the American Abstract Artists group in 1936 furthered his impact on the art scene. His abstract works were showcased at the 1939 New York World's Fair, a remarkable achievement at the time. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy.
Later, George J. McNeil pursued a teaching career, leaving an enduring legacy as he inspired young artists at the University of Wyoming, Pratt Institute, and the New York Studio School until 1981. In 1989, he was elected to the esteemed American Institute of Arts and Letters.
As a pioneer Abstract Expressionist of the New York School, McNeil held over forty solo exhibitions during his lifetime, starting with the Egan Gallery in 1950. His art transitioned from pure abstractions with passionate metaphoric themes to dynamic scenes featuring dancers, bathers, discos, New York City, football, or graffiti. His high-energy compositions were expertly rendered with a virtuoso oil paint technique, showcasing rich texture and color to define complex abstract forms. McNeil's mastery over oil paint allowed for an ever-deeper exploration of sensations in his art.
Today, George J. McNeil's artistic legacy is prominently displayed in various prestigious museum collections nationwide, including the Museum of Modern Art, NY, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY, the Whitney Museum, NY, the San Francisco Museum of Art, the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Walker Art Center, MN, among others.