Morris Louis "Gamma Delta, 1959" Offset Lithograph

Morris Louis (1912–1962) was an American abstract expressionist painter known for his pioneering work in color field painting. Alongside artists like Helen Frankenthaler and Kenneth Noland, Louis was instrumental in developing this style, which emphasized large expanses of vibrant color and flat surfaces devoid of traditional brushwork.Born Morris Louis Bernstein in Baltimore, Maryland, Louis began his artistic career as a traditional painter before embracing abstraction in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He was deeply influenced by the work of European modernists, particularly Henri Matisse, as well as by the Color Field painters who emerged in the 1940s and 1950s.Louis's mature style emerged in the late 1950s with his "Veil" and "Stripe" series, in which he poured thinned acrylic paint directly onto unprimed canvas, allowing the colors to soak into the fabric and create luminous, translucent layers. These works were characterized by their bold, saturated hues, and their emphasis on color and form over gesture and texture.One of Louis's most famous works is "Alpha-Pi" (1960), a monumental painting that exemplifies his mastery of color and his innovative approach to composition. In this work, Louis created a shimmering field of overlapping bands of color, producing a mesmerizing effect that seemed to dissolve the boundaries between painting and viewer.Louis's work received widespread acclaim during his lifetime, and he was recognized as one of the leading figures of the Color Field movement. His paintings are held in major museums and collections around the world, and his influence can be seen in the work of subsequent generations of artists.Morris Louis's legacy as a pioneering color field painter endures to this day, and his innovative use of color and form continues to inspire artists and captivate audiences around the world. He remains celebrated for his ability to create luminous, transcendent works of art that evoke a sense of wonder and awe.
Measures 40 x 26.5.
Condition Report: Good condition. No major rips, tears, etc.