Uriel - Barnett Newman

A seminal work of American Abstract Expressionism, Uriel features Newman's signature 'zip' technique, dividing two expansive fields of colour.

Uriel, painted by Barnett Newman in 1955, is a large-scale work that exemplifies the artist's approach to the canvas as a field of pure colour. The composition is dominated by two distinct vertical planes: a wide expanse of pale, cool blue-grey and a narrower, darker section of muted brown. These two areas are separated by a thin, vertical line, a device Newman termed a 'zip'.

This zip functions as a structural element that divides the space while simultaneously connecting the two colour fields. It creates a sense of tension and scale, drawing the viewer into the physical presence of the painting. Newman sought to remove traditional representational elements, focusing instead on the emotional and metaphysical impact of colour and line. The application of paint is flat and uniform, avoiding gestural brushwork to maintain the integrity of the colour field.

By stripping away narrative content, Newman forces an encounter between the viewer and the work. The scale of the piece is intended to envelop the spectator, making the act of looking a physical experience. The title, Uriel, refers to an archangel, suggesting a spiritual or transcendent dimension to the work, which is characteristic of Newman's interest in the sublime. This print captures the precise tonal relationships and the stark, minimalist geometry of the original oil painting, offering a clear representation of Newman's mid-century aesthetic.