Louis Schanker: Pioneer of Color and Form in American Abstract Art Louis Schanker (1903-1981) stands as a significant figure within the burgeoning landscape of American abstract art during the 1930s, recognized primarily for his distinctive approach to color-patch compositions and his impactful contributions to the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Born in the Bronx, New York, Schanker’s formative years were steeped in Orthodox Jewish tradition, shaping his worldview and fostering a lifelong appreciation for artistic expression rooted in observation of the natural world. His parents, Sam…