The Storm From Denver to the Bronx 1970 by Ronnie Landfield
The Storm From Denver To The Bronx
Ronnie Landfield’s The Storm From Denver To The Bronx: A Pivotal Work of Lyrical Abstraction
Painted in 1970 at the height of Ronnie Landfield’s early maturity, The Storm From Denver To The Bronx embodies the tension between spontaneity and control that defined his contribution to Abstract Expressionism. This work emerged during a period when Landfield was refining his signature approach—layering translucent washes of color with bold, gestural strokes—to create compositions that feel both expansive and intimate. The title itself suggests a geographic and emotional journey, a theme that recurs in his oeuvre as he sought to translate personal experience into abstract form.
The painting’s palette of deep blues, ochres, and whites reflects Landfield’s fascination with atmospheric effects, a quality that aligns with the Museum of Modern Art’s characterization of his work as “lyrical abstraction.” Unlike the dense, impasto surfaces of his contemporaries, Landfield’s canvases often retain a luminous quality, achieved through thinning his acrylics to resemble watercolor. This technique allowed him to build depth without sacrificing the immediacy of the brushstroke—a balance that The Storm From Denver To The Bronx exemplifies.
Landfield in 1970: Between Minimalism and Expressionism
By 1970, Ronnie Landfield had already begun to carve out a distinct path within the second generation of Abstract Expressionists. While peers like Helen Frankenthaler and Morris Louis embraced the stain technique, Landfield’s work retained a more tactile relationship with the canvas. His paintings from this era often feature a central vertical or horizontal axis—a structural device that anchors the composition while allowing for fluid, improvisational mark-making. The Storm From Denver To The Bronx exemplifies this approach, with its sweeping arcs of blue and earthy browns converging around a implied focal point.
Critics of the time, including those at The Art Story, noted how Landfield’s work bridged the gap between the monumental scale of first-generation Abstract Expressionism and the introspective lyricism of the 1970s. His canvases avoided the angst of de Kooning or the mythic grandeur of Pollock, instead offering a meditative counterpoint. This painting’s restrained yet dynamic energy reflects Landfield’s ability to channel emotional intensity through formal discipline—a quality that would define his career for decades to come.
Landfield’s genius lies in his ability to make abstraction feel inevitable. The Storm’s layered washes don’t just suggest movement—they enact it, pulling the viewer into a space where color and line become synonymous with experience itself.
The Making of The Storm From Denver To The Bronx
Composition: A Study in Controlled Chaos
The painting’s composition hinges on a delicate equilibrium between symmetry and spontaneity. Landfield often began with a lightly penciled grid—visible in infrared scans of his works—which he then obscured with layers of thinned acrylic. In The Storm, the central vertical band of ochre acts as a silent fulcrum, counterbalancing the turbulent blues and whites that dominate the upper register. This structural underpinning allows the eye to navigate the canvas without feeling adrift in pure abstraction.
Color: The Illusion of Transparency
Landfield’s innovative use of acrylic mediums enabled him to mimic the luminosity of watercolor on a monumental scale. By diluting his pigments and applying them in successive glazes, he created the illusion of light passing through colored glass. The blues in The Storm exemplify this technique: some areas appear almost translucent, while others—where the paint pools along the canvas weave—take on a velvety opacity. This interplay between transparency and density gives the work its characteristic depth, inviting prolonged viewing.
Own This Landmark of Lyrical Abstraction
Bring home a gallery-framed reproduction of Ronnie Landfield’s 1970 masterwork, meticulously printed to preserve the original’s luminous layers and dynamic brushwork. Free worldwide shipping ensures your print arrives ready to hang, with no hidden costs or minimum order requirements.
Add to Cart — $24999Displaying The Storm From Denver To The Bronx in Your Space
This print’s 30×40 cm dimensions and balanced composition make it remarkably versatile for both modern and traditional interiors. The dominant blues and ochres complement cool-toned spaces—think slate gray walls or crisp white backdrops—while the warm undercurrents harmonize with natural wood furnishings. For maximum impact, position the print at eye level in a well-lit corridor or above a console table, where its layered textures can be appreciated from multiple angles. In larger rooms, consider floating it within a gallery wall of other abstract works, allowing its restrained palette to anchor the arrangement. The matte finish of the gallery frame ensures the artwork remains the focal point without competing with reflective surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the frame included? What quality is it?
Every print arrives in a premium gallery frame with a matte finish, designed to complement the artwork without overpowering it. The frame’s depth and neutral tone are chosen to enhance the visual impact of Landfield’s layered brushwork.
Where do you ship, and how long does delivery take?
We offer free shipping to all countries, with no minimum purchase required. Delivery typically takes 5–10 business days, regardless of your location. Your print will arrive ready to hang, with all necessary hardware included.
How long will the colors stay vibrant?
Our prints use archival inks and acid-free paper, rated to resist fading for 80+ years under normal lighting conditions. The protective glazing in the frame further shields the artwork from UV exposure and dust.
What’s your return policy?
You may return your print within 30 days of delivery for a full refund, no questions asked. We even cover the return shipping costs. The artwork must be in its original packaging and condition.
Sources & Further Reading
- The Art Story. "Ronnie Landfield." The Art Story Foundation.
- Museum of Modern Art. "Ronnie Landfield: Paintings 1968–1973." Exhibition archive, 1974.
More Works by Ronnie Landfield
Explore additional framed prints from Ronnie Landfield’s prolific career, each capturing his evolution from gestural abstraction to refined lyrical compositions.
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Further Reading
Deep dive into Ronnie Landfield’s career and the enduring appeal of his abstract compositions with these editorial features from the Zephyeer journal.
Ready to Bring Landfield Home?
Own a piece of Abstract Expressionism’s lyrical legacy with this gallery-framed reproduction of The Storm From Denver To The Bronx. Your print ships free worldwide in 5–10 business days, arriving ready to hang with archival materials that preserve its vibrancy for decades.
Add to Cart — $24999