Arctic 60n 140e
60°N, 140°E · Willem de Kooning · 2026-08-04
Willem de Kooning2026-08-04Willem de Kooning2026
Creative Rationale
Over the Arctic Ocean north of eastern Siberia, in the Chukchi Sea region where extreme cold meets atmospheric turbulence. The extraordinarily low pressure of 919.7 Pa creates violent spatial compression, driving aggressive slashing marks that press against the picture plane with brutal force. The bitter 14.4 K temperature (-258°F) transforms de Kooning's typical flesh palette into icy greys and blacks punctuated by shocking bursts of cadmium yellow, while the high humidity and precipitation create diluted color runs that slice through thick gestural passages like arctic wind cutting through exposed surfaces.
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Attribution: James Tannahill / art.jamestannahill.com. No commercial use or derivatives without permission.