Josef Albers (1888-1976) is remarkably affiliated with numerous movements that have defined art history in the 20th century. Art Historians credit Albers for fusing elements of American and European abstraction while influencing minimalism, hard-edge painting, and Op art.

Albers was a student and later a professor at the Bauhaus in Germany. After the prestigious academy was closed by the Nazis, Albers and his wife Anni (a noted textile designer) emigrated to the United States.

In addition to being an influence on many artists, Albers was a significant mentor and taught major artists including Robert Rauchenberg, Cy Twombly, and Eve Hesse at Black Mountain College and Yale.

“Homage to the Square” is an excellent starting point for understanding the history, ideology, and merits of abstraction in the 20th century. Albers’ reductive approach in this series inspired a generation of artists working within minimalism including Donald Judd and Robert Morris.

This is a classic and instantly recognizable example of Alber's signature motif from the 1960s. Hypnotic, simple, and striking, Albers uses color and geometry to maximum effect. Sunflower yellow evolves into shades of harvest gold and teak, a definitive palette of the era.

This work is a strong reminder of Albers’ place as one of the most important practitioners of minimalism and hard-edge abstraction.

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“Homage to the Square” 

USA, 1965

Serigraph

Signed, dated, and numbered by artist

25 of an edition of 125

19”H 14.25”W (work)

22.5"H 18.5"W (framed)

Very good condition