15: Beauford Delaney – Abstract Composition, 1961

Signed front lower right “61 Beauford Delaney”.

Step into the luminous field of Abstract Composition, a radiant and emotionally charged work by Beauford Delaney, where color becomes both form and feeling. With its vibrant harmonies of electric greens, pastel violets, and saturated yellows, this painting transcends the boundaries of abstraction and engages the viewer in a profoundly intimate visual dialogue.

Color as Emotion, Surface as Spirit

The surface of Abstract Composition pulses with life. Layer upon layer of thick, gestural brushwork invites the eye to wander across luminous passages of textured pigment. There is no central figure, no horizon line—only the rhythm of movement and chromatic resonance. Each stroke seems to vibrate with intention, evoking the cadences of jazz or the flicker of sun-drenched memory. The color palette is both bold and tender: high-voltage tones coalesce into delicate transitions, balancing intensity with grace.

Delaney’s abstraction does not seek to organize space but to dissolve it—to offer an atmosphere rather than a map. The painting becomes an act of inner vision: meditative, expressive, and unbound. Here, abstraction functions as a universal language—one that bypasses intellect and speaks directly to the senses.

A Composition That Breathes

What sets this painting apart is not just its color, but its breath. Abstract Composition seems to inhale and exhale with light. Delaney’s brushstrokes do not merely cover the canvas—they animate it. The surface becomes a threshold between inner and outer worlds, where the physicality of paint transforms into an emotional resonance. The interplay of layered pigment and revealed underlayers suggests time, memory, and movement held in suspension.

At its core, the work possesses a contemplative stillness—a center of calm amidst a symphony of color. It offers the viewer a moment of refuge, a luminous pause in which to simply be.

A Rare Opportunity for the Discerning Collector

Delaney’s abstract paintings, particularly those from his mature period, have become increasingly rare on the market. This work represents a compelling opportunity for collectors seeking depth—not just in artistic quality, but in spiritual and emotional substance. The tactile surface, vibrant palette, and subtle compositional balance mark it as a standout within Delaney’s abstract oeuvre.

Whether placed in a minimalist interior or juxtaposed with more figurative works, Abstract Composition radiates presence. Its scale and vitality make it ideal for a prominent wall or curated installation. It is a work that transforms the space around it—quietly commanding, subtly illuminating.

Timeless Modernism with Lasting Value

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this work offers significant long-term value. Delaney’s market continues to evolve as institutions and collectors rediscover the power and purity of his abstractions. Paintings such as Abstract Composition are now recognized not only for their innovation but for their emotional clarity and visionary depth.
This is not merely a painting; it is a vessel of presence. Its magnetic field of color and motion invites deep looking, and in return offers calm, joy, and quiet affirmation.

Seize the chance to acquire a work that is both rare and resonant—Abstract Composition is a visual poem that lives, breathes, and continues to speak to new generations.

Private collection, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
Acquired from the above by the current owner (2016).

Good vintage condition with some signs of wear. Unframed.