Step into the Clyfford Still Museum. A haven for abstract expressionism. This isn’t just any museum. It houses the legacy of Clyfford Still himself. Ninety-three percent of his life’s work resides here. Imagine. Over 3125 pieces. Paintings. Drawings. Prints. Even his archives. All meticulously preserved.
The Clyfford Still Museum opened in 2011. Denver won a fierce competition to become its home. Mayor John Hickenlooper’s visit to Patricia Still sealed the deal. The building itself is a marvel. Designed by Brad Cloepfil. It’s a 28500-square-foot testament to Still’s art. Nine galleries showcase his evolution. From his student years to his final masterpieces. You can even peer into the conservation lab. See the meticulous care given to his creations.
But the story goes deeper. Still was a maverick. He challenged the commercial art world. He preferred his work be experienced holistically. His will stipulated a museum dedicated solely to his art. A single-artist museum. This wasn’t a compromise. This was his vision.
His works span decades. Early pieces hint at his stylistic explorations. The 1940s and 50s reveal his “breakthrough period”. The heights of Abstract Expressionism. His later works created in rural Maryland show a continued evolution. A persistent exploration.
The museum isn’t just about the art. It’s also home to the Clyfford Still Archives. Letters. Sketchbooks. Even his personal effects. This offers unparalleled insight. It’s a deep dive into the mind of a master. A man who shaped modern art.
So explore the museum. Marvel at the scale. Feel the power of his paintings. Imagine Still himself walking these halls. He wouldn’t have wanted his art hidden. He wanted it shared. He wanted it experienced. He wanted it understood. And here in Denver. At the Clyfford Still Museum. That’s exactly what is happening.