The artwork titled “1944-G” by artist Clyfford Still, created in 1944, exemplifies the Abstract Expressionism movement. This oil painting, with dimensions measuring 177 x 80 cm, is an abstract piece currently housed in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in San Francisco, California, US.
The artwork features a predominantly dark canvas with complex textural elements. Dominating the piece is a central, jagged line of white that cuts vertically down the length of the painting. This stark line contrasts the pervasive darkness, creating a striking visual tension. Accompanying this central feature are smaller areas of color, most notably a bright splash of yellow towards the upper right and a subdued brownish form towards the upper left. The balance between light and shadow, as well as the contrast within the composition, illustrate Clyfford Still’s engagement with the emotions and spontaneity characteristic of Abstract Expressionism.
