First Move

1969
(American, 1922–2007)
Unframed: 267 x 48.3 cm (105 1/8 x 19 in.)
© Estate of Jules Olitski / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY
This artwork is known to be under copyright.

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Did You Know?

On occasion Olitski experimented with unusually shaped canvases, such as this tall and narrow example.

Description

In order to create the many diaphanous and interpenetrating layers of color in First Move, Olitski used spray guns powered by air compressors to apply the paint. This method effectively eliminated such compositional elements as shape and outline, which are traditional in the history of painting. However, the artist attached masking tape to the upper border of this canvas, sprayed additional colors, and then removed the tape - thereby breaking the uniformity of the surface.
First Move

First Move

1969

Jules Olitski

(American, 1922–2007)
America, 20th century

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