Gene Davis (1920–1985): Pioneer of Color Field Painting Gene Davis (August 22, 1920 – April 6, 1985) was an American abstract painter who emerged as a pivotal figure in the burgeoning Color Field movement during the mid-century. His distinctive approach to painting—characterized by monumental vertical stripe compositions—established him as a central voice within the Washington Color School and cemented his legacy as one of the most influential artists of his time. Born in Washington, D.C., Davis’s artistic journey began modestly, rooted in a formative period spent honing his craft through ob…