Josef Albers Homage to the square
1961
Huile sur masonite
Signed and dated
23.82 x 23.82 in ( 60.5 x 60.5 cm )

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Inquiry - Homage to the square, 1961

« You cannot be an artist until you have explored the visual field through its key

elements: lines, shape, color, and texture. »

Josef Albers

Created in 1961, Homage to the Square is the perfect illustration of one of

the most iconic series of the 20th century, initiated by Josef Albers in 1950

and continued until the end of his career in 1976. Coming from the former

collection of Zeineb and Jean-Pierre Marcie-Rivière, the painting brilliantly

demonstrates the power of repetition and the infinite variability of the

square form. Here, three concentric squares in lemon and ivory subtly yet

powerfully vibrate and interact. The gradients create a surface that seems to

be in constant motion, evolving before the viewer's eyes.

Simple geometric shapes play a central role in Josef Albers' work. By focusing

his visual language on squares, he eliminates any formal distractions, allowing

color to take precedence. This formal simplification, far from being austere,

opens an infinite field of exploration around perception, illusion, and the

relativity of color. For Albers, each hue exists only in relation to others,

emphasizing the importance of the relationship between visual elements

rather than their individuality.