Canto II - Barnett Newman

A 1963 lithograph by Barnett Newman, featuring his signature vertical band composition in blue against a stark black field.

Canto II is a lithograph produced by Barnett Newman in 1963. It belongs to a series of works that explore the relationship between colour, space, and the vertical line. Newman, a central figure in the development of American abstract art, often utilised what he termed the zip: a vertical band that divides the picture plane. In this composition, a singular, bright blue vertical stripe sits against a deep black field. The edges of the black form are irregular, suggesting the physical process of printmaking and the texture of the paper. The work rejects traditional representational imagery. Instead, it focuses on the immediate experience of the viewer. The contrast between the blue and the black creates a sense of tension and balance. The white border provides a neutral frame, allowing the central elements to occupy the visual field without distraction. Newman intended for his works to be viewed at a close range, encouraging a direct encounter with the scale and the placement of the colour. This print reflects the artist's interest in the metaphysical aspects of abstraction. By reducing the visual information to a few essential components, Newman forces an engagement with the purity of the medium. The work does not depict an object or a scene. It exists as a physical presence. The deliberate application of ink and the choice of paper contribute to the overall effect, making the print a study in reduction and clarity. It is a representative example of his later graphic work, where he continued to refine his approach to the vertical division of space.