a pioneer of color field painting

paul allen reed, an american artist, left an indelible mark on the art world with his contributions to the washington color school and color field painting. born in 1919 in washington, d.c., reed's artistic journey began at the corcoran school of art, where he honed his skills alongside other notable artists.

artistic contributions

reed's work is characterized by its bold exploration of color and form, often using diluted acrylic paint directly on canvas. this innovative approach not only defined his style but also influenced a generation of artists. his paintings are now part of major museum collections, including the national gallery of art and the smithsonian american art museum.

• key works:
  • untitled (1960), a seminal piece showcasing reed's use of vibrant, unblended colors.
  • study for "event" (1962), demonstrating his experimentation with form and color interaction.
• museums featuring his work:
  • national gallery of art
  • smithsonian american art museum
• art movement:
  • washington color school
  • color field painting

legacy and influence

as the last living member of the washington color school at the time of his passing in 2015, reed's legacy extends beyond his own body of work. his influence can be seen in numerous artists who have followed in his footsteps, experimenting with color and form. recommended reading: - paul allen reed on TopImpressionists - greatest most famous paintings of all time featuring works by artists influenced by color field painting view more artworks: - sam gilliam: day tripper (acrylic on canvas) - arshile gorky: waterfall