Olitski

Olitski is a surname most notably associated with Jules Olitski (1922–2007), an American painter whose large-scale abstract canvases helped define Color Field painting. His work played a key role in the development of mid- to late-20th-century American abstraction.

Olitski’s paintings are characterized by expansive fields of color and a focus on color as the primary subject. Over his career he moved from more gestural forms of abstraction toward diffuse, luminous color surfaces. He frequently used spray techniques, glazing, and unconventional tools to create soft, feathered edges and atmospheric zones of color, producing halos and subtle transitions rather than sharp delineation.

In the 1960s and beyond, Olitski’s color-field explorations contributed to the broader Color Field and Hard-Edge movements within American art. His approach emphasized flatness, scale, and the experiential impact of color, aligning with developments in postwar abstraction while maintaining a distinctive emphasis on surface and optical effects.

Olitski’s works have been shown widely in major museums and collections, and he remains a influential figure in discussions of Color Field painting and contemporary abstraction. The Olitski surname may refer to other individuals as well, but Jules Olitski is the best-known bearer in the context of fine art.