Delta Kappa 1960

Morris Louis made "Delta Kappa" using acrylic on canvas. Look at how the paint seems to cascade down the canvas, creating these translucent veils of color. It's like he's letting the paint do its own thing, embracing the process of flow and gravity. The canvas is raw, unprimed, so the paint soaks right in. See how that affects the colors? They're stained, almost like watercolors, giving this feeling of openness and light. The drips and runs aren't hidden; they’re celebrated. Notice the way the colors layer and overlap, creating new shades and dimensions. In the bottom left corner, the yellow seems to glow from underneath the red and black. It's a small detail, but it really makes the whole painting sing. Louis's work reminds me a bit of Helen Frankenthaler, another artist who was pouring paint onto canvas, exploring the relationship between color and surface. But where Frankenthaler's work can feel lyrical, Louis's has this sense of controlled abandon. It’s all about letting go while still holding on.