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DiaporamaBroad Turning
Acrylic On Canvas- WallArt
- Color Field Painting
1958
230.0 x 384.0 cm
Dallas Museum of Art
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Broad Turning
Reproduction Medium
Reproduction Size
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Total Price
$ 263
Artwork Description
Broad Turning – A Symphony of Color and Fluidity
Morris Louis’s “Broad Turning,” created in 1958, stands as a cornerstone of Color Field painting—a movement that fundamentally shifted the trajectory of American art after World War II. More than just pigment on canvas; it's an immersive experience designed to evoke contemplation and capture the essence of natural phenomena like flowing water or wind.
Composition and Scale
The artwork’s horizontal orientation immediately establishes a sense of expansive calm. Bands of color cascade across the canvas, eschewing any central focal point—instead, the viewer's gaze wanders organically across the varying hues. Measuring 230 x 384 cm (approximately 9 ft. 10 in. x 15 ft. 7 in.), “Broad Turning” commands attention and creates an illusion of depth despite its flattened perspective.
Color Palette and Technique
Louis’s masterful use of color is central to the piece's impact. Primarily earthy tones—browns, ochres, yellows, and subtle hints of red and green—blend seamlessly together. The technique employed was revolutionary: Louis poured diluted Magna paint onto the canvas, allowing it to spread and merge naturally without visible brushstrokes. This process, dubbed “veil painting,” resulted in translucent layers that shimmered with reflected light.
Historical Context and Influences
"Broad Turning" emerged during a period of artistic experimentation following Abstract Expressionism, where artists sought to transcend representational imagery and prioritize pure visual sensation. Louis drew inspiration from Helen Frankenthaler’s staining technique—a method that similarly aimed for spontaneity and textural richness. The painting reflects the broader ethos of Color Field painting: an exploration of color as emotion and experience.
Symbolic Resonance and Emotional Impact
The flowing colors in “Broad Turning” can be interpreted as symbols of movement, transformation, and perhaps even a connection to primal forces. They invite viewers into a meditative state, fostering feelings of tranquility and wonder. Louis’s work continues to resonate with audiences today because it captures the sublime beauty of nature—a timeless pursuit that speaks to our deepest desires for harmony and contemplation.
Materials Used
- Canvas
- Acrylic Paint (Magna)
This artwork is housed at Dallas Museum of Art, Texas.
Artist Biography
Early Life and Education
- Born: Morris Louis Bernstein, November 28, 1912, Baltimore, Maryland
- Parents: Louis Bernstein (furniture salesman) and Cecelia Luckman Bernstein.
- Education: Attended public schools in Baltimore; Maryland Institute of Fine and Applied Arts (now MICA), 1929-1932. Did not complete a degree.
- Early influences included Eugene Speicher and Paul Cézanne.
- Showed an early interest in art, encouraged by his family despite limited opportunities in Baltimore.
Development as an Artist & Key Influences
- 1930s: Worked various odd jobs to support himself while painting (vegetable peeling, laundry work, Gallup Poll research).
- 1934-1936: Participated in the Public Works of Art Project mural project under Sam Swerdloff.
- 1936-1937: Moved to New York City; experimented with techniques at the Siqueiros Workshop.
- Magna Paint Discovery (1948): A pivotal moment – Louis pioneered the use of Magna paint, a newly developed oil-based acrylic paint created for him by Leonard Bocour and Sam Golden. This allowed for greater fluidity and transparency in his work.
- Influence of Helen Frankenthaler: In 1953, Louis and Kenneth Noland visited Frankenthaler's studio and were deeply impressed by her stain paintings (particularly "Mountains and Sea"). This inspired their experimentation with pouring and staining techniques.
The Veil Paintings & Color Field Innovations
- Mature Veil Paintings (1954): Characterized by overlapping, superimposed layers of transparent color poured onto and stained into sized or unsized canvas.
- Technique: Extremely diluted paint was applied to an unprimed, unstretched canvas, allowing it to flow over the inclined surface, creating translucent color veils. This eliminated brushstrokes and emphasized flatness.
- Color Field Painting: Louis became a central figure in Color Field painting, simplifying pictorial space and emphasizing flat planes of intense color. He was part of the Washington Color School movement.
- Series & Styles: Beyond the Veil paintings, he explored series like florals, columns (1960), unfurleds (1960-61) – featuring rivulets of opaque color – and stripe paintings (1961-62).
Major Achievements & Historical Significance
- Pioneering Color Field Painting: Louis is recognized as a key innovator in Color Field painting, alongside artists like Kenneth Noland and Helen Frankenthaler.
- Influence on Abstract Expressionism: His work expanded the boundaries of Abstract Expressionism by focusing on color and flatness rather than gesture or composition.
- Washington Color School: A significant contributor to this influential movement, which emphasized a reductive approach to painting.
- Destruction of Works: Notably, Louis destroyed many of his paintings between 1955 and 1957, reflecting a critical self-assessment of his work.
- Legacy: His emphasis on color, flatness, and the materiality of paint continues to influence contemporary artists.
Later Years & Death
- Louis continued painting prolifically until his death.
- Death: Died September 7, 1962, in Washington, D.C., at the age of 49.
- Memorial Exhibition (1963): A significant exhibition was held at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum shortly after his death.
- Retrospective Exhibitions: Major retrospectives followed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (1967), and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. (1976).
Morris Louis
1912 - 1962 , United States of America
Quick Facts
- Artistic Movement Or Style: Color Field painting
- Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist:
- Kenneth Noland
- Washington Color School
- Artists Who Influenced This Artist:
- Helen Frankenthaler
- Jackson Pollock
- Cézanne
- Date Of Birth: November 28, 1912
- Date Of Death: September 7, 1962
- Full Name: Morris Louis
- Nationality: American
- Notable Artworks:
- High
- Number 1-36
- Where
- Number 1-68
- Gamma Tau
- Third Element
- Delta Theta
- Place Of Birth: Baltimore, United States
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