The artwork titled “Covenant,” created in 1949 by Barnett Newman in the United States, is an exemplary piece of the Color Field Painting movement. Rendered in oil on canvas, this abstract composition is housed at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, DC.
The artwork features a profound simplicity characterized by its minimalist aesthetic. It comprises predominantly rich, deep hues of maroon that suffuse the canvas, creating an intense background. Two vertical lines, one black and one yellow, traverse the length of the painting, dividing the space into segments and evoking a sense of balance and structural cohesion. The pure, unmodulated colors and the geometric divisions exemplify Newman’s endeavor to invoke a transcendental and contemplative experience through abstract means, typical of the Color Field Painting genre. The restrained palette and stark composition invite viewers to engage with the painting’s emotional and spatial dimensions on a profound level.