Julian Schnabel's artistic journey in the 1970s laid the foundation for a career that would become emblematic of the Neo-Expressionist movement, challenging and reshaping the contours of contemporary art. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1951, Schnabel's early exposure to art was significantly influenced by his family's move to Texas, where his creative impulses began to flourish in a variety of forms, including music​ (The Art Story)​. After receiving his BA in Fine Arts from the University of Houston in 1973, Schnabel further honed his artistic voice at the Whitney Museum's Independent Study Program, marking the beginning of a prolific career that would span various mediums and expressions​ (The Art Story)​. The late 1970s marked a critical period in Schnabel's development as an artist. Amidst the backdrop of a predominantly Minimalist and Conceptual art scene, Schnabel's work stood out for its emotional expressiveness and bold materiality. His response to the "dry intellectualism" of the times was a powerful, emotionally charged expressionism that would later become a hallmark of his style. This period was characterized by Schnabel's experimentation with non-traditional materials and large-scale works, setting the stage for his iconic "plate paintings" in the 1980s​ (www.wikiart.org)​. Schnabel's plate paintings, which emerged in the 1980s, are perhaps one of the most celebrated aspects of his work, symbolizing a break from the Minimalist and Conceptual movements that dominated the 1970s. These paintings incorporated broken ceramic plates as a canvas, marrying the textural complexity of the materials with the figurative and abstract elements of his paintings. This innovative approach not only challenged traditional notions of painting but also underscored Schnabel's ability to convey profound emotional depth and narrative through his choice of materials​ (Sothebys.com)​. His work from the late 1970s through the 1980s played a significant role in the development of American Neo-Expressionism, a movement characterized by its rejection of the austere principles of Minimalism in favor of more raw, expressive, and often figurative art. Alongside contemporaries like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Eric Fischl, Schnabel contributed to a vibrant, dynamic art scene that sought to reinvigorate painting with a newfound intensity and passion​ (Sothebys.com)​. Schnabel's early work not only paved the way for his later achievements but also reflected the broader shifts within the art world during the late 20th century. His exploration of materials, scale, and emotional expression during the 1970s laid the groundwork for a career that would continually push the boundaries of contemporary art, cementing his place as a pivotal figure in the transition towards Neo-Expressionism and beyond.