Sub-Marine 1948

Morris Louis made "Sub-Marine" using acrylic on canvas, and although its exact date remains unknown, it provides a glimpse into the artist's exploration of color and form during the mid-20th century. Louis, working against the backdrop of social upheaval and the Civil Rights Movement, engaged with abstraction in a way that reflected the search for new modes of expression. "Sub-Marine" hints at forms, with its interplay of yellows and grays suggesting an underwater world. The choice of abstraction can be viewed as a deliberate departure from traditional modes of representation, offering a space for viewers to project their own emotions and experiences onto the canvas. How does the fluidity of color evoke particular feelings? How does the lack of defined forms create a sense of boundlessness? The work invites introspection, and perhaps even a quiet, personal revolution, echoing the broader societal shifts of the time.