The artwork “Pagosa Springs,” created in 1960 by Frank Stella, is an exemplary piece belonging to the Color Field Painting and Hard Edge Painting movements. The artwork is abstract in genre, reflecting the stylistic elements characteristic of Stella’s work during this period.
The artwork features a geometric, symmetrical design predominantly in brown hues. It is composed of a series of thin, parallel lines that create a stepped, or terraced, effect through repetition and variation in spacing. The composition is both minimalistic and precise, emphasizing the interplay of positive and negative space. The overall structure evokes a sense of rhythm and mathematical precision, characteristic of Stella’s approach to abstraction and his interest in the purity of form. The carefully crafted lines and the uniform application of color underscore the principles of hard-edge painting, wherein transitions between colors are sharp and distinct, devoid of expressive brushstrokes.
