“Beta Lambda,” created by Morris Louis in 1961, is a prominent example of Color Field Painting. This abstract artwork, part of Louis’s “Unfurled” series, is rendered on a substantial canvas measuring 407 x 262.2 cm. The piece is housed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, US, reflecting Louis’s significant contributions to mid-20th century American abstract art.
The artwork features a minimalistic yet impactful composition, with expansive white space dominating the canvas. The primary visual elements consist of cascading bands of vibrant colors that unfurl from the upper sides of the piece, converging in a “V” shape at the bottom center, while leaving much of the space unpainted. These colorful cascades include shades of red, blue, yellow, green, and other hues, flowing organically and creating a sense of movement and dynamism. The deliberate use of color and negative space exemplifies Morris Louis’s dedication to exploring the emotional resonance of color and form.
