Rago Auctions

Founded in 1933–1934 by Hans Hofmann in New York with a summer school in Provincetown, MA, the Hans Hofmann School of Fine Arts had a profound influence on the development of abstract expressionism in the United States in the mid-20th century.

Hofmann was not only a renowned artist but also a highly influential teacher. His teaching approach emphasized the importance of individual expression, spontaneity, and the dynamic interplay of color and form. He encouraged students to experiment and move away from representational art, laying the groundwork for abstract expressionism.

Hofmann and the school attracted a diverse group of artists, providing a vibrant artistic community where like-minded individuals could exchange ideas and collaborate. This sense of community fostered a creative environment that contributed to the development of new artistic approaches. Many significant artists associated with shaping the course of American Modern Art attended the Hans Hofmann School, including Jackson Pollock, Lee Krasner, Helen Frankenthaler, and Joan Mitchell, among others.

“To me, creation is metamorphosis… incited by reality, imagination bursts into passion the potential inner life of a chosen medium. The final image resulting from it expresses the all of oneself.”— Hans Hofmann

The following ten lots come from the collection of the artist Tom Hannan. Hannan studied at the Hans Hofmann School of Fine Arts and served as Hofmann’s studio assistant in Provincetown. Hannan developed friendships with many of the Hofmann-trained artists and collected works by his colleagues and classmates. Later, Hannan was a founding member of the artist-run James Gallery located on 10th Street.