Robert Ryman was an American painter associated with Minimalism and known for his monochromatic, white-on-white paintings. He was born on May 30, 1930, in Nashville, Tennessee, and studied at the Tennessee Polytechnic Institute and the George Peabody College for Teachers.
In the 1950s, Ryman moved to New York City, where he worked as a guard at the Museum of Modern Art while developing his own artistic practice. He began making paintings in which he explored the subtle variations in tone and texture that could be achieved with white paint on a white ground.
Ryman's work was often associated with Minimalism, a movement that sought to reduce art to its most essential elements. However, he resisted being categorized as a Minimalist, preferring to describe himself simply as a painter.
Throughout his career, Ryman experimented with a variety of materials and techniques, including canvas, paper, metal, and plastic. He continued to make art until his death on February 8, 2019, and his work is included in major museum collections around the world.