Number 1-82
Acrylic On Canvas
WallArt
Color Field Painting
1961
208.0 x 84.0 cm
The Phillips Collection
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Number 1-82
Giclée / Art Print
Reproduction Size
-
Total Price
$ 81
Morris Louis: A Symphony of Color and Texture
Morris Louis (1912-1962), born in Baltimore, Maryland, emerged as a singular voice within the burgeoning landscape of American abstract expressionism. Despite eschewing formal academic training—he attended MICA but didn’t earn a degree—Louis possessed an innate artistic sensibility nurtured by influences ranging from Eugène Speicher to Paul Cézanne and bolstered by early explorations into textile art.
The Veil Technique: Innovation at Its Finest
Louis revolutionized painting with his groundbreaking “veil” technique, developed in collaboration with Leo Stein of Magna Paint. This method involved applying Magna paint onto a stretched fabric—typically muslin—allowing it to drip and spread organically across the surface. Unlike traditional brushstrokes, this process yielded unpredictable patterns of color, resulting in mesmerizing textures and captivating visual rhythms. The drips themselves weren’t merely accidental; Louis meticulously controlled their trajectory, creating deliberate variations within each veil.
“Number 1-82”: Exploring Chromatic Relationships
"Number 1-82," created in 1961, exemplifies Louis's masterful command of Color Field painting. The artwork is dominated by a vertical composition featuring eight horizontal bands of color—ranging from crimson to cadmium yellow—layered onto a stark black background. This juxtaposition immediately establishes a dramatic contrast that draws the viewer’s eye and underscores the importance of chromatic harmony. The technique employed—direct application of Magna paint—produced uneven edges and visible brushstrokes, contributing to the painting's palpable textural quality.
Symbolism Within Simplicity
The colors chosen by Louis are not merely decorative; they carry profound symbolic weight. Researchers suggest that crimson represents passion and vitality, while cadmium yellow embodies optimism and enlightenment. Collectively, these hues evoke a spectrum of emotions—joy, energy, contemplation—reflecting Louis’s belief in the transformative power of color to communicate ideas beyond literal representation. The absence of perspective or depth reinforces the painting's focus on pure chromatic experience.
A Legacy Enduring Through Reproduction
“Number 1-82” stands as a testament to Louis’s unwavering commitment to artistic experimentation and his pioneering contribution to abstract art history. OriginalUniqueArt offers exceptional reproductions of this iconic piece, allowing collectors and enthusiasts alike to appreciate its beauty and complexity in high resolution.
Questions & Answers
What feeling is "Number 1-82" associated with?
"Number 1-82" by Morris Louis conveys a reflective emotional tone.
What color leads the composition of "Number 1-82" by Morris Louis?
The color that stands out most in "Number 1-82" is putty (#dddecc). The dominant color is useful when matching an artwork to an interior.
Which artist is "Number 1-82" attributed to?
"Number 1-82" was created by Morris Louis. The information on this page describes Morris Louis's original work.
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
- Full Name: Morris Louis
- Nationality: American
- Date Of Birth: 1912
- Date Of Death: 1962
- Place Of Birth: Baltimore, United States of America
- Notable Artworks:
- High
- Number 1-36
- Where
- Number 1-68
- Gamma Tau
- Third Element
- Delta Theta
- Artistic Movement Or Style: Color Field painting
- Artists Who Influenced This Artist:
- Helen Frankenthaler
- Jackson Pollock
- Cézanne
- Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist:
- Kenneth Noland
- Washington Color School

Glass option is only available in size under 110 CM
