“Seascape with Dunes,” created by Helen Frankenthaler in 1962, is an exemplary piece within the realms of Abstract Expressionism and Lyrical Abstraction. As an abstract artwork, it showcases Frankenthaler’s distinctive approach to color and form, creating a sense of movement and fluidity that characterizes much of her work from this period.
The artwork displays an array of amorphous shapes and vibrant colors, evoking a naturalistic yet abstract representation of a seascape and dunes. The fluidity and interaction of different hues—such as blues, greens, and reds—illustrate Frankenthaler’s signature soak-stain technique, which allows the paint to diffuse into the canvas, creating an ethereal effect. The composition appears unconfined, with colors bleeding softly into one another, producing a serene and dynamic visual experience. This piece, with its subtle complexity and innovative technique, exemplifies the abstract genre and the artist’s contribution to the art movements of Abstract Expressionism and Lyrical Abstraction.
