“Canto III” is an abstract artwork created by Barnett Newman in 1963. It belongs to the Color Field Painting movement and is part of the “18 Cantos” series.
The artwork prominently features a large, black rectangular form occupying much of the compositional space on an off-white background. Centering the composition is a slender vertical strip of bare canvas, which acts as a dynamic counterpoint to the dense, monochromatic field. The stark contrast between the black and off-white areas epitomizes Newman’s minimalist aesthetic, focusing on simplicity and profound visual impact. The rough, uneven edges of the black field further enhance the texture and depth of the piece, drawing the viewer’s attention to the interplay between void and presence.