The artwork “Untitled” by Morris Louis, created during the years 1959 to 1960, stands as an emblematic work within the Color Field Painting movement. It pertains to the genre of the abstract and is part of his “Floral” series. This art movement is characterized by large fields of flat, solid color spread across or stained into the canvas, creating an area of unbroken surface and a flat picture plane.
Upon examining the artwork, one is immediately struck by the effusive application of color. Morris Louis has utilized a multitude of hues that flow into each other, reminiscent of a garden in full bloom. The use of transparent washes creates a complex overlay of colors, leading to new color formations where they intersect and blend. The composition is symmetrical and radiates outward from the center, suggesting the organic and unfolding nature of petals.
The choice of colors ranges from warm reds, yellows, and oranges to cooler blues, purples, and greens. The resulting effect is a dynamic and seemingly living surface that pulsates with color interactions. As is typical with Louis’s work from this period and within the “Floral” series, the emphasis is on the emotive power of color to create space and mood without relying on figurative references or narrative content.
In summary, Louis’s “Untitled” serves as a demonstration of the Color Field movement’s focus on the simplicity of form and purity of color to evoke an aesthetic experience in the viewer. This piece, with its abstract floral suggestion, invites contemplation and immerses the observer in its vibrant chromatic symphony.
