The artwork titled “C and O,” created by Franz Kline in 1958, is a notable example of the Action painting technique, part of the broader Abstract Expressionist movement prevalent in the United States during that era. The genre of this work is abstract, eschewing representational forms in favor of a more visceral and spontaneous mode of expression.
Examining the artwork, one is immediately struck by the bold and dynamic brushstrokes that dominate the canvas. The complexity of the composition is evident in the sweeping black lines and forms juxtaposed against the stark white background, interrupted occasionally by bursts of primary colors—such as the deep red and bright yellow—which seem to emerge from the otherwise monochromatic palette. This color contrast creates a visual tension and a sense of depth in an otherwise flat pictorial space. Kline’s technique involves layering and scraping away paint, adding a textural dimension that enhances the kinetic energy of the piece. The artwork evokes a sense of immediacy and raw emotion, reflective of the artist’s physical action in applying paint to canvas.