COBRA (art movement)

COBRA was a European avant-garde art movement active from 1948 to 1951. The name was formed as an acronym from the cities where the founding members originated: Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam.

COBRA was characterized by its spontaneous and experimental approach to artmaking. Artists associated with the movement rejected the prevailing doctrines of rationalism and geometric abstraction in favor of a more primal, expressive, and colorful style. Influences included children's art, folk art, and the work of mentally ill patients, reflecting a desire to tap into a source of raw, untainted creativity.

Key figures associated with COBRA included Asger Jorn, Christian Dotremont, Karel Appel, Corneille, and Constant. The artists collaborated extensively, creating paintings, sculptures, and publications that emphasized collective creation and artistic freedom.

Despite its relatively short lifespan, COBRA had a significant impact on the development of abstract expressionism and other subsequent art movements. Its emphasis on spontaneity, experimentation, and the power of the subconscious continues to inspire artists today. The group formally disbanded in 1951, though individual artists continued to develop their work within the broad aesthetic framework established by COBRA.