|
|
by Tamara Hunter
|
| |
History
Minimalism developed in the 1960's in reaction to the subjective art movement, Expressionism. Emphasizing the bare minimum, Minimalist art is generally non-representational and non-symbolic. The key concept of Minimalism is pure simplicity - breaking down a work of art into its minimum components: composition, design, color, and line. Often called "ABC" or "reductive" art, a predecessor to the Minimalism movement was a group called the Russian Suprematists, which included Kasimir Malevich. The best-known American minimal artists are Ellsworth Kelly and Frank Stella.
back to the top
Subject
With Minimalism, there is often no subject - the idea is to create "something that means nothing". In the case of "Minimal Man", although we can see a figure, it has been reduced into the simplest of geometrical forms and colors.
 back to the top
Common Motifs
True to Minimalism, this painting is broken down into simple lines and elementary shapes in basic blocks of color, with clear boundaries.
 back to the top
Composition
The composition is balanced and there is harmony in the design, yet the lines are neat, the shapes are simple, and the colors are solidly and consistently represented.
 back to the top
Color
The artist uses colors that are contrasting (light against dark) and complimentary (orange against greens and blues), and presented uniformly within large, clearly delineated patterns.
 back to the top
Brushstrokes
Typical of Minimalism, the brushstrokes are precisely and evenly painted, which can lend an impersonal quality. Yet this is the fundamental principle of Minimalism-keep it simple.
 back to the top
Other QuickSketches:
Naïve/folk art,
Realism,
Impressionism,
Expressionism,
Cubism,
Surrealism,
Pop Art, and
Abstract Art
View all styles.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
