Photo of Barnett Newman

Barnett Newman (1905-1970) was a American artist associated with the Abstract Expressionism movement. Being one of the big figures in the movement, Barnett is well known for his “Colour Field” type paintings, where flat and solid colours would be applied to the canvas to create intimate shapes. Barnett’s paintings were often made with the intent for contemplation and meditation. His motifs were to make the viewer think deeply about the colours that were presented in the piece and to have them interpret the meanings and feelings behind them.

But how did Barnett come to this conclusion of having viewers express their own individual feelings onto a painting? Artisans and historians say that three major events were presented to Barnett that would influence his works.

The first event came from the writings of Russian anarchist Peter Kropotkin who believed that oneself should free themselves of all principles and rules no matter which direction, whether it be left or right wing. These sets of principles would convince Barnett that paintings did not have to follow traditional forms of representation on life.

The second thought inspired by Kwakiutl art of the Northwest Coast convinced Barnett that abstract shapes could convey ideas of individual feelings and emotions. More often than not, people will experience some kind of resonance with a painting if they think deeply about each subject. This concept of individual opinions and feelings on works was often easily expressed by traditional laws and accurate representations of life, however after Barnett studied Kwakiutl art of the Northwest Coast he took note of their motifs and later implemented it into his work.

The third thought comes from First Nations mounds and the Jewish concept mythical concept of “Makom”, the mystery of where God would reside. Barnett took this motif of “mystery” and would exemplify this motif in his paintings. Barnett hoped to give viewers a feeling of their own uniqueness, totality, and relationships with other viewers while they observed his paintings, to somehow link them together spiritually and create a connection between everyone.

Barnett’s studies and works with “Colour Field” type paintings were a portrait for modern day minimalism. The motifs of colour and simple abstractions are commonly seen today in modern art and graphic design. I think it is quite easy to say that movements like abstract art and abstract expressionism are often underappreciated, being buried underneath behemoths like Renaissance and Romanticist art. However, the value and motifs of abstract expressionism far surpass those works of previous movements if I dare say.

Works

Onement, I

1948 | Oil on canvas and oil on masking tape on canvas | Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

Canto VII

1963 | Lithography | Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

Canto XVI

1964 | Lithography | Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

Canto XIII

1964 | Lithography | Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

https://uploads0.wikiart.org/images/barnett-newman/canto-vii-1963.jpg

citation: https://www.moma.org/artists/4285

https://www.gallery.ca/collection/artist/barnett-newman

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/a/abstract-expressionism

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnett_Newman

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_Field