Franz Kline's journey through the 1930s significantly shaped his artistic path, laying the groundwork for his later prominence as a leading figure of Abstract Expressionism. During this formative decade, Kline's work was largely representational, drawing from the stark industrial landscapes of his native Pennsylvania. This period was marked by an exploration of animated subjects translated into simple gestures or strokes, reflecting a deep engagement with the world around him​ (Peggy Guggenheim Venetian Art)​. Kline's artistic education furthered his development during the 1930s. He studied at the Art Students League in New York from 1931 to 1935, honing his skills and grounding himself in the fundamentals of art. His pursuit of art took him across the Atlantic to the Heatherley School of Fine Art in London from 1935 to 1938, where he continued to refine his craft​ (Peggy Guggenheim Venetian Art)​. This era of Kline's life was also characterized by financial struggles, which he navigated with the support of friends Theodore J. Edlich, Jr. and I. David Orr. They provided financial backing by commissioning portraits and purchasing much of his work, allowing him to persist in his artistic endeavors​ (Peggy Guggenheim Venetian Art)​. The late 1930s and early 1940s saw Kline engaging with murals and portrait painting, mediums through which he could apply his representational style. It was also during this time that Kline's interactions with key figures of the New York art scene, such as Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock, began to influence his artistic direction. This period marked the beginning of Kline's interest in Japanese art, which would later have a notable impact on his stylistic evolution​ (Peggy Guggenheim Venetian Art)​. The culmination of these experiences in the 1930s set the stage for Kline's transition to abstract expressionism. By the end of the decade, he had started to experiment with the bold strokes and use of black and white enamel that would come to define his mature style. His first solo show in 1950 at the Egan Gallery in New York was a critical success, establishing Kline as a major figure in Abstract Expressionism and highlighting the significance of his artistic journey through the 1930s​ (Peggy Guggenheim Venetian Art)​.