In the Curl
Kenneth Noland's *In the Curl* is a striking example of his mastery of Color Field painting, featuring bold, precisely applied bands of acrylic color that create a dynamic sense of movement and rhythm across the canvas. The work reflects Noland's ongoing exploration of the relationship between color, form, and the flat picture plane, stripping away expressive gesture in favor of clean, deliberate composition. The luminous hues interact with one another to evoke both energy and equilibrium, inviting the viewer to experience color as the primary subject of the painting.
- Medium
- acrylic on canvas
- Location
- Phillips, Salt Lake City, UT
- Spotted At
- Auction House · PhillipsView on map
🔨 Auction Lot
Contemporary Art Day Sale
May 15, 2015
Artists in conversation
Morris Louis
American · b. 1912
Louis was a central figure in Color Field painting alongside Noland, using acrylic to create luminous, flowing bands of pure color that explore rhythm and the flat picture plane with similar precision and visual energy.
Frank Stella
American · b. 1936
Stella shares Noland's commitment to hard edge abstraction and bold geometric banding, using clean deliberate compositions that strip away gestural expression in favor of structured color relationships across the canvas.
Ellsworth Kelly
American · b. 1923
Kelly's work mirrors the bold colors, flat picture plane, and cool geometric precision found in this piece, using carefully composed fields of pure color to achieve both visual equilibrium and dynamic energy.
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