Canto XI (1964) by Barnett Newman

Canto XI - Barnett Newman - 1964

Artwork Information

TitleCanto XI
ArtistBarnett Newman
Date1964
Art MovementColor Field Painting

About Canto XI

“Canto XI” is an abstract artwork created by Barnett Newman in 1964, belonging to the art movement known as Color Field Painting. This piece is part of the “18 Cantos” series that Newman completed, which reflects the Color Field movement’s focus on large areas of a single color and minimalist composition.

The artwork in question features a bold and simplified composition consisting of two adjacent rectangular fields of color. To the left, there is a vibrant, solid yellow block that is stark and unmodulated, and to the right, a deeper, textured green block. The boundary between the two colors is distinct and they do not blend into one another, emphasizing the purity and independence of each hue. This juxtaposition of color creates a dynamic tension and a sense of space within the composition. The blocks of color within “Canto XI,” as with much of Newman’s work, may also be seen as exploring the concepts of spirituality and the sublime, which were central themes in his artwork.

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