Emerging in reaction to Abstract Expressionism, the Minimalists looked to remove the artist's hand from artmaking, and earthworks did away with traditional media altogether.
c. 1960–present
Beginner's guide
Although many works of art can be described as “minimal,” the name Minimalism refers specifically to a kind of reductive abstract art that emerged during the early 1960s.
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Robert Ryman in “Paradox”
Using white paint on square forms, Ryman highlights the subtle nuances of a surface.
Alice Aycock, Low Building with Dirt Roof (For Mary)
A work of non-functional architecture, Aycock’s structure evokes personal memories and associations to the ancient past.
Nicolás García Uriburu, Coloration of the Grand Canal, Venice
García Uriburu’s Coloration of the Grand Canal, Venice was a playful and innovative approach to painting that involved dying the Venice canals green.
Carl Andre, Lever
Minimalism privileges a creative thought process, on the part of both viewer and artist, over the making of objects
Walter De Maria, The Lightning Field
400 stainless steel poles in the high desert of New Mexico are the object, but the subject is the sublime.
Robert Smithson, Spiral Jetty
Drought and rain govern when this work of art in Utah’s Great Salt Lake can be seen.
Robert Morris, Bodyspacemotionthings
Serious Art or a jungle gym? Morris shows us that art can be experienced bodily, and Minimalism can be fun.
Donald Judd, Untitled
Judd’s boxes were made by factory workers, not by the artist—but he provided instructions.
Robert Morris, (Untitled) L-Beams
Are these objects the same size? Morris challenges our perception.
Christo and Jeanne-Claude, The Gates
26 years in the making, this intervention in Central Park was controversial—even though it only lasted two weeks.
