“Achilles,” an artwork created by Barnett Newman in 1952 in the United States, is part of the Color Field Painting movement and falls under the abstract genre. Utilizing a mixed medium of acrylic and oil on canvas, Newman’s piece exemplifies the bold, emotive qualities characteristic of the Color Field Painting movement.
The artwork features a prominent expanse of rich, red color dominating the center, bordered by striking vertical bands of dark hues on both sides. The central red area is painted with an application technique that creates a subtle variation in tones and texture. The stark black borders frame the vibrant red, adding to the intensity and depth of the piece. The composition allows the color fields to interact, establishing a visual rhythm and evoking an emotional response from the viewer. The simplicity in form juxtaposed with the complexity of color modulation exemplifies Newman’s approach to abstraction, focusing on the primal elements of color and space.