Butterfly of Winter 1985 by Ronnie Landfield
Butterfly Of Winter
The Lyrical Abstraction of Ronnie Landfield’s Butterfly Of Winter
Created in 1985, Butterfly Of Winter stands as a refined example of Ronnie Landfield’s mature abstract style, where expansive fields of color intersect with delicate linear elements. This work emerged during a period when Landfield had fully embraced the principles of Lyrical Abstraction—a movement that prioritized intuitive, gestural mark-making over the rigid geometries of earlier modernist traditions. Unlike the dense, all-over compositions of his 1960s pour paintings, Butterfly Of Winter demonstrates a more measured approach, with sweeping arcs of muted violet and ochre anchored by a central vertical form that suggests both fragility and resilience.
The title itself hints at contradiction: butterflies, symbols of fleeting beauty, paired with winter’s starkness. Landfield’s palette here—soft lavenders, warm umbers, and a single bold stripe of deep blue—creates a tension between warmth and coolness, mirroring the artwork’s thematic duality. As noted in The Art Story’s analysis of Lyrical Abstraction, artists like Landfield sought to “reconcile the emotional intensity of Abstract Expressionism with a more contemplative, almost meditative use of color and form.” This painting embodies that balance, offering neither pure chaos nor rigid order, but a space where opposing forces coexist.
Ronnie Landfield and the Legacy of Color Field Painting
By the mid-1980s, Ronnie Landfield had long been associated with the second generation of Color Field painters, a group that included Larry Poons and Helen Frankenthaler. Unlike the first wave—marked by the monumental canvases of Mark Rothko or Barnett Newman—Landfield’s work retained a human scale while exploring the interplay of stained color and drawn line. His early career in the late 1960s was defined by radical experiments with poured paint, often creating luminous, veil-like layers that seemed to float on the canvas. Butterfly Of Winter, however, reflects a shift toward greater compositional clarity, where the artist’s hand is visible not just in the application of pigment but in the deliberate structuring of the pictorial space.
Landfield’s move away from pure staining toward a more architectural use of line and shape aligned with broader trends in late-20th-century abstraction. As the Museum of Modern Art has observed in retrospectives of the period, many artists who emerged in the 1960s began to “reintroduce drawing into painting” by the 1980s, blending the spontaneity of gestural abstraction with a renewed emphasis on composition. In this work, the central vertical element—reminiscent of a stem or a spine—serves as both a dividing line and a unifying axis, a technique Landfield would continue to refine in later series.
Butterfly Of Winter is neither a rejection of Landfield’s earlier fluidity nor a return to traditional structure—it is a synthesis, where the spontaneity of the pour meets the precision of the drawn line.
The Making of Butterfly Of Winter: Technique and Composition
Layering and Transparency
The painting’s surface reveals Landfield’s signature method of building depth through translucent glazes. The violet and ochre fields were likely applied in multiple thin washes, allowing underlying layers to subtly influence the final hue. This approach creates a luminous effect, where the color appears to emanate from within rather than sit atop the canvas. The deep blue stripe, by contrast, is opaque and flat, providing a visual counterpoint to the softer, more permeable areas surrounding it.
Linear Intervention
The introduction of the central vertical line—a recurring motif in Landfield’s 1980s work—disrupts the horizontality of the color fields. Unlike the organic, meandering lines of his earlier pieces, this element is straight and deliberate, almost architectural. Its placement divides the canvas asymmetrically, with the larger expanse of color to the left and a narrower band to the right, creating an imbalance that keeps the viewer’s eye in motion. The line’s rough, hand-drawn quality ensures it never feels mechanical, preserving the work’s overall lyrical sensibility.
Own This Lyrical Masterpiece
Bring Ronnie Landfield’s Butterfly Of Winter into your space as a gallery-framed print, ready to hang. Each print is crafted with archival inks on premium paper and includes FREE worldwide shipping—no minimum, no exceptions.
Add to Cart — Free ShippingStyling Butterfly Of Winter: A Curator’s Guide
With its harmonious blend of warm and cool tones, Butterfly Of Winter adapts effortlessly to both modern and transitional interiors. The 30×40 cm (12×16") dimensions make it ideal for smaller walls—a perfect statement piece above a console table, floating shelf, or bedside. For maximum impact, pair it with neutral backdrops: soft grays, warm whites, or pale woods allow the painting’s violet and ochre hues to take center stage. In spaces with existing color, echo the deep blue stripe in throw pillows or ceramics to create a subtle dialogue. Avoid overly busy surroundings; this work thrives in environments where its quiet complexity can be savored.
Is the frame included? What is the quality?
Every print arrives in a gallery-quality frame, handcrafted from solid wood with a matte finish that complements the artwork. The frame includes acid-free matting and UV-protective glazing to ensure long-term preservation.
Where do you ship, and how long does delivery take?
We offer FREE shipping to all countries, with no order minimum. Delivery typically takes 5–10 business days, depending on your location. Tracking is provided for every order.
How archival is the print? Will the colors fade?
Our prints use pigment-based inks rated for 100+ years under museum lighting conditions. The paper is acid-free and lignin-free, ensuring the colors remain vibrant for generations when displayed away from direct sunlight.
What is your return policy?
You may return your print within 30 days of delivery for a full refund, no questions asked. We cover return shipping costs if the item arrives damaged or defective.
Sources & Further Reading
- The Art Story. "Lyrical Abstraction." The Art Story Foundation.
- Museum of Modern Art. "Abstract Expressionism." MoMA, New York.
- Smithsonian American Art Museum. "Ronnie Landfield." Smithsonian Institution.
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