“Beside the Sea,” created by Robert Motherwell in 1966, is an exemplary artwork in the mediums of oil and paper. This piece is a part of the Abstract Expressionism and Lyrical Abstraction movements, with dimensions measuring 74 x 59.5 cm. As an abstract genre painting, the artwork succinctly conveys its title with a minimalist yet expressive approach.
In “Beside the Sea,” the artist employs a sparse composition where splashes and strokes of green and brown paint occupy a serene white background. A horizontal green brushstroke at the bottom suggests the shoreline or a sea while a vertical splash intersects it, bringing dynamism and movement to the piece. The abstract forms resonate with the viewer, evoking a sense of the sea’s tranquility intertwined with the sporadic energy of the natural elements present beside it. The minimalist aesthetic enhances the contemplative quality of the painting, characteristic of Motherwell’s style within the abstract expressionist movement.
