Which painting style emerged in the late 1940s and is characterized by large fields of color without suggestion of form?

Color-Field Painting emerged in the late 1940s as a distinctive movement within abstract expressionism, characterized by the use of large, flat areas of color that often envelop the viewer's gaze. This style prioritizes color over form and is focused on the emotional and aesthetic impact of color itself rather than on representational or narrative elements. Artists sought to create a sense of space and depth through chromatic variations, allowing the viewer to engage with the painting on a purely visual level.

The approach contrasts with other styles such as Gestural Abstraction, which emphasizes dynamic brushwork and the physical act of painting itself, creating a sense of movement and form. While Minimalism, which emerged later, shares some aesthetic qualities with Color-Field Painting, it leans towards a reduction of form and often incorporates elements of sculpture or design that are not present in Color-Field Painting. Fauvism, on the other hand, focuses on bold color and painterly techniques but does not prioritize the large fields of unstructured color that characterize Color-Field Painting.