Small Burst 1961

"Small Burst" (1961) by Adolph Gottlieb exemplifies the artist's "pictographs" series, a departure from Abstract Expressionism. This work features a bold red disk, reminiscent of the sun, set against a stark white ground and juxtaposed with a black abstract form. This stark composition, characteristic of Gottlieb's style, conveys a sense of both dynamism and minimalism, drawing the viewer's eye to the interplay of color and form. This piece, created in the midst of the Cold War, reflects Gottlieb's exploration of universal symbols and their potential to evoke powerful emotions.