Twined Columns II 1960

Morris Louis made "Twined Columns II" by staining diluted acrylic directly onto an unprimed canvas. It's all about process; the paint seeps and spreads, creating these soft-edged bands of color. The paint isn't sitting on top; it's one with the fabric. It's like the colors are breathing, almost like they're exhaling onto the canvas. Look at the way the blue merges into the green on the left column. It is as though each color is in conversation with the next. And see how the canvas is so present? That's part of the dance. Louis was part of that Color Field movement, where it was all about letting color do its thing. You might see some echoes of Helen Frankenthaler, who also played with soaking and staining. With this kind of work, there’s no single right way to feel. It’s more like an invitation to wander and wonder.