pleasure

Olitski's painting

One of my favorite of favorites- Jules Olitski (1922-2007) immigrated to the United States in 1923, shortly after the political execution of his father Jevel Demikovsky in the Soviet Union. From 1940 to 1942 he studied at the National Academy of Design in New York while taking sculpture classes in the evenings at the Beaux-Arts Institute. Olitski made his name as one of the colour-field abstract painters, creating work using staining techniques and spray paint.

"Good art" Clem would say, "gives me a lift." I told him of Nicolas Poussin's remark that "the goal of art is delight." Clem nodded in agreement but said he preffered the word pleasure. Pleasure, he mentioned, is a value in itself. High art gave him pleasure.

- Jules Olitski, " Appreciation: Clement Greenberg in My Studio."