The artwork titled “1947-S,” created by Clyfford Still in 1947, is an exemplary piece of Abstract Expressionism, executed in oil. It measures 215 by 182 centimeters and is housed at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in San Francisco, California, USA. This abstract work epitomizes the non-representational style that Still is renowned for, embodying the dynamic and emotive qualities that define the Abstract Expressionist movement.
The artwork features bold, jagged shapes filled with intense colors. Dominant areas of black and white are interspersed with striking patches of red and yellow. These colors are applied in a rough, textured manner, leading to an impression of movement and tension within the composition. The juxtaposition of these colors and shapes creates a dramatic visual impact, drawing the viewer’s eye across the canvas. The overall impression is one of powerful emotional expression, transcending literal representation to evoke a deeper, more visceral response.
