“The Wild,” created by Barnett Newman in 1950, is an abstract artwork rendered in oil on canvas that adheres to the principles of Color Field Painting and Minimalism. It measures 243 by 4.1 centimeters and is housed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY.
The artwork showcases Newman’s characteristic minimalist style with a single vertical stripe running the length of the canvas. The stripe is painted in a striking red hue, surrounded by a darker, uneven border that appears almost black. The simplicity of the composition draws attention to the color contrasts and the serene yet bold presence of the form. The elongated proportions and the narrowness of the stripe accentuate the verticality and create a profound sense of contemplation, characteristic of Newman’s broader oeuvre.
