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While still in her early 20s, Frankenthaler invented a new painting technique that she called “soak stain.” In this process, she brushed or poured oil paint that had been diluted with turpentine onto an unprimed canvas, allowing the colors to soak into the canvas rather than sit on top. The result was a muted, seemingly translucent effect that resembled watercolor. Her technique was soon adopted by other artists and helped to launch a new school of abstract painting called Color Field.
In the 1960s, Frankenthaler started using acrylic paints that allowed for more opacity and sharpness in her compositions, as seen here in Floe IV. The white areas of the composition reveal the canvas itself.
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Floe IV
Helen Frankenthaler (American, 1928–2011)
1965
Medium/Technique
Acrylic emulsion on canvas
Dimensions
142.2 x 149.9 cm (56 x 59 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Susan W. and Stephen D. Paine
Accession Number1987.748
CollectionsContemporary Art, Americas
ClassificationsPaintings
While still in her early 20s, Frankenthaler invented a new painting technique that she called “soak stain.” In this process, she brushed or poured oil paint that had been diluted with turpentine onto an unprimed canvas, allowing the colors to soak into the canvas rather than sit on top. The result was a muted, seemingly translucent effect that resembled watercolor. Her technique was soon adopted by other artists and helped to launch a new school of abstract painting called Color Field.
In the 1960s, Frankenthaler started using acrylic paints that allowed for more opacity and sharpness in her compositions, as seen here in Floe IV. The white areas of the composition reveal the canvas itself.
InscriptionsFront of painting
Lower right corner: Frankenthaler
Back of painting
On the canvas: Floe IV 56" x 59"
On the stretcher:
Left bar: 6992 7/59 "Clarity after Indecision" TOP (center bar also has an arrow
pointing to left, suggesting that the stretcher frame was original intended or used for another painting)
Central bar (top): label from private collection
Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen D. Paine
Frankenthaler, Helen
"Floe #10"
1964
Number 16-69
Acrylic on canvas
56 x 59
Central bar (immediately below label from Paine collection)
Emmerich Gallery (partially removed)
Lower right corner: Frankenthaler
Back of painting
On the canvas: Floe IV 56" x 59"
On the stretcher:
Left bar: 6992 7/59 "Clarity after Indecision" TOP (center bar also has an arrow
pointing to left, suggesting that the stretcher frame was original intended or used for another painting)
Central bar (top): label from private collection
Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen D. Paine
Frankenthaler, Helen
"Floe #10"
1964
Number 16-69
Acrylic on canvas
56 x 59
Central bar (immediately below label from Paine collection)
Emmerich Gallery (partially removed)
ProvenanceThe artist; with David Mirvish Gallery, Toronto; 1969, purchased by Susan W. and Stephen D. Paine, Boston; gift to MFA, Boston, January 20, 1988
Copyright© 2011 Helen Frankenthaler / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.