Born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Willem de Kooning immigrated to the United States in 1926. He became a pivotal force in the New York School of artists, developing a style that bridged the gap between figurative representation and pure abstraction.

His work is characterized by aggressive, slashing brushstrokes and a complex layering of paint. He is perhaps best known for his Woman series, which challenged traditional depictions of the female form through distorted, visceral compositions that remain hallmarks of mid-century American art.

De Kooning's legacy continues to be a focal point for major institutions, as evidenced by his inclusion in the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam's recent recontextualization of its 1950–1980 collection. His influence remains foundational to the study of global abstraction and the evolution of modern painting.