Robert Motherwell's art in the 1940s was a period of significant evolution and foundational development, marking his transition into one of the leading figures of the Abstract Expressionist movement. In 1940, after moving to New York to study at Columbia University, Motherwell was introduced to a group of exiled Parisian Surrealists, which included influential figures such as Max Ernst, Marcel Duchamp, and André Masson. This introduction played a pivotal role in shaping his artistic direction, especially through the concept of automatism—creating art that emerges from the subconscious, a practice that deeply influenced Motherwell's approach to art​ (Wikipedia)​. Motherwell's trip to Mexico in 1941 with Roberto Matta, another key Surrealist figure, further deepened his engagement with automatism and abstract art. This period was crucial for the development of his style, leading to the creation of his early significant works such as "The Little Spanish Prison" (1941) and "Pancho Villa, Dead and Alive" (1943). These works demonstrate Motherwell's burgeoning interest in blending abstract forms with expressive, gestural techniques​ (Wikipedia)​. The 1940s also saw Motherwell beginning to establish himself within the New York art scene, notably with his participation in Peggy Guggenheim's "Art of This Century" gallery show in 1943, where he presented his collages. This exhibition was a key moment, signaling his rising prominence and marking the beginning of his lifelong engagement with collage as a medium. His work during this time was characterized by a mix of torn paper and expressive application of paint, showcasing his unique approach to abstract expressionism​ (The Art Story)​. Additionally, Motherwell's contributions to the art world in the 1940s were not limited to his visual art; he also embarked on parallel careers in teaching, editing, and writing. He taught at Black Mountain College and other institutions, contributed to Surrealist publications, and edited several influential art series, further establishing his intellectual and artistic influence within the avant-garde community​ (The Art Story)​. One of Motherwell's pivotal series that began in this decade was the "Elegies to the Spanish Republic," which he started in 1948. Though this series would span over his entire career, its inception in the late 1940s was emblematic of Motherwell's deepening exploration of abstract expressionism, marrying political, personal, and philosophical themes within his increasingly abstract and symbolic visual language​ (Wikipedia)​. Throughout the 1940s, Motherwell's work was a testament to his evolving abstract expressionist style, deeply influenced by his interactions with Surrealism and his philosophical and intellectual pursuits. This period laid the groundwork for his future as a leading figure in American art, characterized by a constant search for a personal, spontaneous language of mark-making as seen in his drawings and later works​ (The Dedalus Foundation)​.