“Claustral,” created by Morris Louis in 1961, is an abstract artwork belonging to the Color Field Painting movement. Executed in oil on canvas, it measures 215.8 by 163.8 cm and is part of the artist’s “Stripe” series. This piece is currently housed at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia, United States.
The artwork prominently features vertical stripes of varying colors such as yellow, blue, green, red, and violet, applied in a fluid manner that allows the hues to intermingle and overlap at their edges. These stripes are concentrated predominantly along the left side of the canvas, with the remainder of the canvas left intentionally blank, thereby creating a stark contrast between the vibrant colors and the pristine background. The brushstrokes appear meticulously calculated yet fluid, showcasing the hallmark style of Morris Louis within the Color Field Painting movement, emphasizing simplicity, color, and form to evoke emotional resonance.
