Yellow over Dark Blue 1965

Ellsworth Kelly’s abstract composition presents two rounded rectangles, one yellow above a dark blue, set against a pale ground. These shapes may appear simple, but their bold colors evoke deep-seated emotions. Blue, often associated with melancholy and contemplation, rests beneath a vibrant yellow, a color linked to the sun and enlightenment. Consider the ancient Egyptians, who saw blue as the color of divinity and the heavens. Simultaneously, yellow was associated with Ra, the sun god, representing eternal life. This juxtaposition of colors, of emotions, speaks to a universal human experience—the interplay between joy and sorrow, hope and despair. These forms touch something primal, resonating with our subconscious understanding of the world. They represent, perhaps, a modern echo of ancient dualities, continuously resurfacing in our collective consciousness.