Ellsworth Kelly, a pioneering American artist who was widely known for his highly-charged and minimal images, left a significant mark on the art world. Being born in 1923 in Newburgh, New York, Kelly’s artistic process started out with a deep interest in forms, colors and spatial relationships. Over the span of his incredibly productive career, he presented himself as one of the founders of Minimalism, Hard-edge painting, and Color Field painting. “Spectrum Colors Arranged by Chance” is an example of his innovative approach to art.
Who was Ellsworth Kelly?
As a renowned American minimalist and color field artist, Ellsworth Kelly was a painter, sculptor and a printmaker. Kelly, born on May 31, 1923, in Newburgh, New York, was a veteran of World War II, and later followed his dream of becoming an artist with the help of the G.I. Bill. He graduated from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and later studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Kelly’s studies often involved simple shapes, vivid colors, and geometric forms, which he applied to a subject of how light and space interacted.
FUN FACT: Ellsworth Kelly served in the U.S. Army during World War II. During his service, he was part of the “Ghost Army,” a tactical deception unit that used inflatable tanks, sound trucks, and other creative means to mislead enemy forces.
His Career
During his whole artistic life, Ellsworth Kelly never wavered from his idiosyncratic creative view, featuring purity, simplicity, and the immediate effect of colors. He disparaged the emotionalism of Abstract Expressionism and preferred a more formal and restrained art-making style. Kelly’s artworks are present in prominent museums across the globe and he is viewed as one of the most significant American artists of the century.
What is Happening in “Spectrum Colors Arranged by Chance”?
| Artist | Ellsworth Kelly |
| Date Created | 1951 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Genre | Abstract |
| Period | Post-war |
| Dimensions | 23 3/4 x 17 3/4 inches |
| Series / Versions | Unique |
| Where is it housed? | Private Collection |
In 1951, Ellsworth Kelly made “Spectrum Colors Arranged by Chance,” a ground-breaking artwork which depicted the artist’s obsession with the unexpectedness and the colorful interaction. This is a departure from his previous more rigorous compositions, exhibiting the way he would be ready to welcome spontaneity and the unexpected.
This piece is a very striking grid of 64 colored squares, each being a distinct and vibrant shade. Among colors which seems to be picked randomly, reflects Kelly’s idea to let intuition of chance guide his artistic process. The carelessness in this case illustrates an evident contrast in Kelly’s approach, pointing to the colour’s freedom from formal restrictions.
Interesting Facts
Color Exploration: “Spectrum Colors Arranged by Chance” marks a departure from Kelly’s earlier works that adhered to a more rigid approach to color. This piece showcases his willingness to explore and liberate color from conventional structures.
Influence of Dadaism: This painting has been fortified by the ideas of the Dadaists, particularly randomness and chance employed by Jean Arp and Marcel Duchamp. The avant-garde-nature of the time is revealed in Kelly’s moving away from the traditional modes of artistic expression.
Mathematical Precision: Although Kelly creates an impression of randomness, his approach is based on mathematical precision. The placement of colors may seem random, but each square is carefully positioned to create a general balance.
Private Collection: “Spectrum Colors Arranged by Chance” is held in a private collection, therefore the public access to it is rather limited. It becomes special just because exhibitions or publications are necessary for people who want to have the experience of this masterpiece.
Artwork Spotlight: Cyclamen V
Cyclamen V is one of Ellsworth Kelly which is also available on Singulart. This artwork is the most minimalist works that de-emphasize structure and embrace forms and colors. The piece is admired for its simplicity and line exploitation.
Are you looking for a piece of artwork from Ellsworth Kelly?
Singulart has limited edition prints of Ellsworth Kelly. If you are looking for a piece of Kelly‘s artwork for sale, simply click on the artwork or the button below to discover more!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ellsworth Kelly famous?
Ellsworth Kelly was an American painter, sculptor, and printmaker who was a prominent representative of the hard-edge style, which defines abstract outlines with extreme precision.
What materials did Ellsworth Kelly use?
Kelly relocated to upstate New York in 1970. He used his larger studio space during the next two decades to produce exterior steel, aluminum, and bronze sculptures as well as even larger multi-panel pieces. Additionally, he embraced more curved designs for the canvas as well as areas with perfectly painted color.
Conclusion
Kelly’s “Spectrum Colors Arranged by Chance” remains a monument to his innovative spirit and his commitment to experiment with the artistic realm. With the use of randomness and spontaneity, Kelly made a work which operates against the usual compositional rules and asks the viewer to interact with colors differently. Along with the rest of his oeuvre, in this piece he showcases the major role that he played in the development of abstraction in the post-war American art world.
