“For Caroline,” created by Brice Marden in 1977, is an abstract artwork that aligns with the Minimalism art movement. The artwork exhibits a distinct minimalist aesthetic, characterized by simplicity and careful manipulation of negative and positive space.
The artwork features a composition divided into two adjacent rectangular sections. The left section includes five narrow vertical stripes, wherein each stripe alternates between a white and a black hue. The black stripes are meticulously shaded with a crosshatch pattern, which adds texture and depth to the otherwise flat surface. The right section comprises vertical stripes exclusively in black, accentuated by a similar crosshatch technique. This section is framed by a narrow horizontal white strip at the top and white margins at the sides, further emphasizing the contrast between light and dark. The balanced symmetry and the interplay of light and shadow in the artwork exemplify Marden’s minimalist approach, highlighting the aesthetic power of simplicity and structure.