“Canto XV” is an abstract artwork by Barnett Newman created in 1964 as part of his “18 Cantos” series. It belongs to the Color Field Painting movement, representing a style of abstract painting that emerged in the mid-20th century characterized by large fields of flat, solid color spread across or stained into the canvas to create areas of unbroken surface and a flat picture plane.
The artwork itself utilizes a bold, singular color scheme dominated by a vibrant red. It features a large vertical band of slightly darker red hue running down the center, flanked by two lighter red zones. This structure is typical of Newman’s signature motif known as the “zip,” which he employed throughout much of his work to give a sense of spatial structure to his paintings. The contrasts in hue might evoke a sense of depth or focal point within the predominantly uniform color field. The composition is centered and symmetrical, allowing the viewer’s attention to be captured and held by the variations of red. The painting’s simplicity and emphasis on color express the minimalist and emotional concepts typical of Color Field Painting, where the visual experience is contemplative and rooted in the viewer’s perception.