Milton Resnick (American, 1917–2004) was a first generation Abstract Expressionist. Born in Russia, he immigrated with his family to the United States at age five; by 14 he had begun taking evening classes in commercial art at the Pratt Institute. Milton later transferred to the American Artists’ school, where he shifted his focus to Fine Art. Resnick’s father prohibited him from pursing art, which forced him to move out and continue school, supporting himself as an elevator boy. In 1938, he moved to his first New York studio, where he became close friends with Willem de Kooning (American/Dutch, 1904–1997). Two years later, Resnick was drafted into the army, serving in Iceland and Europe. He settled in Paris after the war, where he met many artists, such as Alberto Giacometti (Swiss, 1901–1966) and Constantin Brancusi (Romanian, 1876–1957). After three years in Paris, Resnick returned to New York and continued his education through Hans Hofmann’s school. It was in the start of the 1950s that Resnick began to gain recognition for his paintings. In 1961, he married fellow Abstract Expressionist Pat Passlof (American, b.1928). Resnick’s work is featured in many important collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the National Gallery of Art, and the National Museum of American Art.
