A striking example of Color Field painting, Morris Louis's 'Addition VII' features cascading vertical bands of colour, applied in thin washes to create a luminous and ethereal effect.

Morris Louis (1912-1962) was an American painter and a major figure in the Color Field movement, a style of abstract painting that emerged in the late 1940s. He is known for his innovative staining techniques, in which he poured diluted acrylic paint onto unprimed canvas, allowing the colours to soak directly into the fabric. This process created luminous, translucent effects and eliminated the traditional brushstroke, resulting in a flat, unified surface. 'Addition VII' exemplifies Louis's signature style. The composition features vertical bands of colour that cascade down the canvas, creating a sense of movement and flow. The colours, including red, blue, green, and black, are applied in thin washes, allowing the white of the canvas to show through and create a sense of depth. The edges of the colour bands are soft and blurred, further enhancing the ethereal quality of the work. The painting's title suggests a systematic approach to colour and form, reflecting Louis's interest in exploring the properties of paint and the relationship between colour and surface.