“The Scarlet Ring” is an abstract artwork created by Robert Motherwell in 1963. As a prominent figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement, Motherwell utilized a variety of media for this piece, including charcoal, collage, oil, and board. The artwork is emblematic of the abstract genre, eschewing representational form for an exploration of color, shape, and texture to convey its narrative.
Examining the artwork, one can discern the layered complexity and varied textures that characterize Motherwell’s practice. The background features a rich golden-brown hue, applied with broad, gestural brushstrokes that fill the expanse. Dominating the center is an irregularly shaped piece of collage, suggesting a torn effect, in a stark white that starkly contrasts with the background.
Atop this collage element rests a crimson circle— the “scarlet ring” from which the artwork draws its name—bordered by a fainter red hue and encircled by what appears to be a rough, black line, creating a vivid focal point. Below, a horizontal collage piece in shades of blue and white introduces a coolness to the otherwise warm-toned composition, hinting at a horizon line or a semblance of groundedness amidst the abstraction.
The application of the materials is dynamic, evidencing a freedom of motion and an emphasis on the physicality of the artistic process. The juxtaposition of colors, the interplay of the torn paper with the fluidity of the paint, and the bold presence of the red circle all coalesce to form an evocative piece that invites contemplation and elicits an emotional response distinctive to abstract expressionist works.
