Yellow Triptych 1959

Terry Frost's Yellow Triptych is an abstract oil painting, a three-part work which plays on colour and form to produce a striking visual effect. Painted in a post-war Britain, still recovering from the austerity of war, Frost's work reflects a broader shift toward abstraction, a rejection of traditional representation in favour of exploring pure form and colour. This was, in part, a reaction against the perceived failures of the old order, a search for new modes of expression that could capture the complexities of the modern world. We see here a move away from the rigid social structures of the past. This abstract style can also be understood as a product of new art institutions. As modern art became increasingly popular, galleries and museums began to exhibit abstract works, creating a market for this new kind of art. Frost was part of a generation of artists who were actively challenging the norms of British art, pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable or beautiful. Art historians delve into artists' biographies, exhibition records, and contemporary reviews to understand the social and institutional contexts that shaped their work.