Adolph Gottlieb's Burst series, initiated in the late 1950s and continuing until his death in 1974, marks a pivotal period in his artistic journey and a significant contribution to Abstract Expressionism. This series is characterized by its simplified imagery, often featuring a large, sun-like orb floating above a tangled mass of lines or brushstrokes, which evoke a sense of cosmic or natural phenomena. Gottlieb's use of this distinct composition—dividing the canvas into two parts, with a radiating circle above and a more chaotic, densely painted area below—sought to explore the fundamental relationships between form, color, and viewer perception. The series reflects a deep engagement with themes of creation, destruction, and the cyclical nature of existence, invoking both the vastness of cosmic landscapes and the intimate scale of human emotional experiences (Wikipedia) (The Art Story) (Fields of Abstraction Art).
In the Burst series, Gottlieb simplified his visual language to two main elements, creating a basic landscape with a sun and ground motif that transcends literal interpretation, inviting viewers to find their own meanings within the abstract forms. His mastery of color played a crucial role in these works, with the choice and application of hues adding depth and emotional resonance to the simple compositions. Gottlieb himself noted the importance of painting from personal feelings, instincts, and a direct connection with nature, eschewing ideological or doctrinaire approaches to his work. This series not only cemented Gottlieb's reputation as a leading figure in the Color Field movement but also positioned him at the forefront of Lyrical Abstraction, demonstrating his influence on the broader spectrum of post-war American art (Wikipedia).
Gottlieb's Burst paintings are a testament to his belief in the expressive power of abstract imagery to convey emotional truths and engage viewers in a profound, non-verbal dialogue. Through these works, he sought to capture the dualities of existence—light and darkness, chaos and order, creation and destruction—within a unified visual framework that invites endless interpretation and contemplation. The Bursts, with their evocative juxtaposition of forms and colors, continue to be celebrated for their ability to bridge the realms of the visible and the invisible, the external world and the internal landscape of the viewer's imagination (Wikipedia) (Fields of Abstraction Art).