WASHINGTON, DC—Apparently fashion follows art. The color blocking trend that dominated the 2011 runways has been a staple in contemporary art for more than half a century. From Sol LeWitt to Mark Rothko, fields of color juxtaposed against similar hues and complementary ones from opposite sides of the spectrum can be found in many Minimalist, Conceptual and Abstract works. On the National Mall, the National Gallery of Art‘s collection includes many bold, amazing canvases featuring “color blocking.”
All photos by Arts Observer
Above, “Sound,” circa 1966 (acrylic on canvas) by Kenneth Noland; Top of page, “Wall Drawing 681 C,” first installation in 1993, a wall divided vertically into four equal squares separated and bordered by black bands (colored ink washes) by Sol Lewitt.
From left, “Untitled (Seagram Mural Sketch),” 1959 (oil and acrylic on canvas); “Untitled (Seagram Mural Sketch),” 1959 (oil and mixed media on canvas); “Untitled (Seagram Mural Sketch),” 1959 (oil and acrylic on canvas) all by Mark Rothko.
Detail of left canvas, “Untitled (Seagram Mural Sketch),” 1959 (oil and acrylic on canvas) by Mark Rothko.
From left, “Untitled,” 1953 (mixed media on canvas); “No. 14 (White and Greens in Blue),” 1957 (oil on canvas); “Untitled” 1949 (oil on canvas).
From left, “Mural Painting I Yellow-Orange,” 18 May 1962; “Mural Painting II Green,” 21 May 1962; “Mural Painting III Red,” 22 May 1962 (all oil on canvas) by Joan Miró.