The artwork “While Series II” was created by Morris Louis in 1960. As a prominent example of Color Field Painting, a movement characterized by large fields of flat, solid color spread across or stained into the canvas, this piece represents the artist’s abstract explorations. Crafted with magna on canvas, a medium known for its intense color and fluidity, the artwork spans a considerable size of 243.8 x 363.2 cm. Drawing upon the genre of abstract art, Louis has focused on form, color, and the resulting spatial relationships rather than representational accuracy.
The artwork exudes a rhythmic quality through its series of elongated, vertical forms that almost resemble organic, flowing shapes. It displays a spectrum of vibrant colors, each columnar shape differentiated by hue but sharing a sense of unity in their stylistic execution. The manner in which the colors bleed into one another suggests a lack of containment and a dynamic interplay between the different elements. The boundaries between colors are neither harsh nor distinctly linear, which allows the viewer’s eye to meander through the transitions with ease and fluidity.
The enveloping size of the canvas in conjunction with the method of paint application lends the piece a presence that is both commanding and subtle. The creative process likely involved the canvas being laid flat while diluted paint was poured onto it, a technique that lends the colors an appearance of merging organically. In this way, Louis negates the presence of the artist’s hand, directing the viewer’s focus to the purity of color and form. The overall impact is one of contemplative immersion, a hallmark of Color Field Painting, where the vast expanse of color invites a deep and personal viewer engagement.
