“Helen Frankenthaler’s ‘Blue Form in a Scene’ (1961) is an exemplary piece from the Abstract Expressionism movement, rendered in oil on a large canvas measuring 241 x 234 cm. Privately held, the artwork is notable for its abstract nature.”
The artwork features a dynamic assembly of color fields and flowing forms set against a predominantly neutral background. The composition is marked by an interplay of thick and thin lines as well as blotches of color that appear almost poured onto the surface. Prominent hues include blue, orange, purple, green, and brown, which interlace and overlay each other, creating a sense of depth and movement. The central structure, dominated by a striking blue form, functions as the focal point amidst more diffuse and organic shapes. Frankenthaler’s technique showcases her adeptness at manipulating oil paint to achieve both transparency and opacity, embodying the gestural and spontaneous qualities of Abstract Expressionism.
