Ad Reinhardt's Blue Paintings at David Zwirner Gallery Explore Perception and Abstraction
Between September 12 and October 21, 2017, the David Zwirner Gallery located at 537 West 20th Street in New York City hosted 'Ad Reinhardt: Blue Paintings.' This exhibition displayed pieces created from 1950 to 1953, showcasing Reinhardt's distinctive Abstract Expressionism characterized by matte finishes and delicate color usage. Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1913, Reinhardt began studying art history at Columbia University in 1931. Drawing inspiration from Cubism and Constructivism, he distanced himself from the expressive styles of artists like Aleksander Rodchenko. His monochromatic blue and green grids invite contemplative observation, transforming the gallery into a tranquil environment. Reinhardt sought to free art from commercial influences, aligning with Yves Klein as a pioneer of conceptual art, echoing the spiritual qualities found in the works of Matisse, Rothko, Turrell, and Kapoor.
Key facts
- Exhibition dates: September 12 to October 21, 2017
- Location: David Zwirner Gallery, 537 West 20th Street, New York City
- Featured works: Blue Paintings from 1950 to 1953
- Ad Reinhardt born in Buffalo, New York in 1913
- Reinhardt studied art history at Columbia University in 1931
- Paintings have matte surfaces with no gloss or reflection
- Reinhardt rejected Aleksander Rodchenko's monochrome declaration
- Works challenge viewers to slow down and perceive subtle color variations
Entities
Artists
- Ad Reinhardt
- Adolph Friedrich Reinhardt
- Aleksander Rodchenko
- Henri Matisse
- Mark Rothko
- James Turrell
- Anish Kapoor
- Yves Klein
Institutions
- David Zwirner Gallery
- Columbia University
- The Estate of Ad Reinhardt
- Artist Rights Society
- David Zwirner
- artcritical
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Buffalo
- New York
- London
- United Kingdom