The Washington Color School Art Movement emerged in the 1950s and 60s as a bold departure from the more somber and introspective approach to abstract expressionism that had dominated the art world for several decades.

Led by a group of young artists in the Washington D.C. area, the movement emphasized the use of bright, saturated colors, simple geometric forms, and a sense of joy and optimism that was rare in contemporary art at the time.

Origins of The Movement

The Washington Color School Art Movement grew out of a number of different influences and trends in the art world in the mid-twentieth century.

One of the most important of these was the ongoing legacy of abstract expressionism, a style of art that had emerged in the 1940s and 50s and was characterized by a focus on the expressive power of color, texture, and gesture.

The artists of the Washington Color School were also heavily influenced by the work of the French painter Henri Matisse, whose bold use of color and simplified forms had a significant impact on the development of modern art in the early twentieth century.

Additionally, they were inspired by the growing interest in color theory and the use of color as a formal element in art, which was being explored by artists and theorists such as Josef Albers and Johannes Itten.

Key Artists and Works

The Washington Color School Art Movement was led by a core group of artists who were based in the Washington D.C. area, including Morris Louis, Kenneth Noland, Gene Davis, and Thomas Downing.

Each of these artists had their own distinctive approach to the use of color and form, but they shared a commitment to creating work that was bold, vibrant, and optimistic.

One of the most famous works of the Washington Color School is Morris Louis’s “Unfurled” series, which he began in the late 1950s.

These large-scale canvases feature a series of vertical stripes of pure color, applied with a technique that allowed the paint to soak into the canvas and create a sense of depth and richness.

Another key work of the movement is Kenneth Noland’s “Circle” series, which he began in the early 1960s.

These paintings feature a single, large circular form in the center of the canvas, surrounded by a series of smaller concentric circles in bright, contrasting colors.

The effect is both playful and mesmerizing, drawing the viewer’s eye into the center of the canvas and creating a sense of movement and energy.

Gene Davis was known for his use of stripes, which he used to create a sense of rhythm and repetition in his work.

His “Black Grey Beat” series, for example, features a series of vertical stripes in varying shades of black and gray, creating a hypnotic effect that draws the viewer in and holds their attention.

Finally, Thomas Downing was known for his use of the dot, which he used to create complex, layered compositions that explored the relationships between color and form. His “Color Field” series, for example, features a series of small, circular dots in a variety of colors, arranged in a grid pattern that creates a sense of movement and depth.

Legacy and Influence

The Washington Color School Art Movement had a significant impact on the development of modern art in the United States, and its influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary artists today.

Its emphasis on the use of color as a formal element in art, and its commitment to creating work that was both bold and optimistic, helped to pave the way for the pop art movement of the 1960s and 70s, which similarly emphasized the use of bright, saturated colors and playful imagery.

The Washington Color School also had a significant impact on the development of other art movements, such as minimalism and conceptual art, which similarly emphasized the use of simple forms and a focus on the formal qualities of art.

Washington Color School – Wrap Up

The Washington Color School Art Movement remains an important and influential part of the history of modern art, and its legacy can be seen in the work of many contemporary artists today.

Its bold and vibrant approach to abstract expressionism, its emphasis on the use of color as a formal element in art, and its commitment to creating work that was both playful and optimistic, helped to pave the way for a new era of artistic experimentation and innovation.