Split

Split is one of the concentric circle paintings that gained Noland widespread acclaim in the late 1950s. Their centered format was a significant break from the all-over compositions of abstract expressionists like Jackson Pollock. Energy seems to radiate from the canvas, as if its colored rings were spinning in motion and counter-motion. Noland described his painting method as "one-shot"-- since working on unprimed canvas allowed no opportunity to alter the paint once applied. Noland built Split from the middle outward, choosing each successive hue to create dynamic optical effects. A central core of solid blue is set within a white square that contrasts boldly with the surrounding black. The jagged, stained edges of the outer blue and red rings evoke the pulsating energy of the sun, as the circle motif itself raises associations with the cosmos and infinity.