Abstract Composition 13 

Abstract Composition 13 is an undated painting by Aurel Cojan, an artist who lived through much of the 20th century. Cojan, born in Romania, would have been exposed to social and political upheavals throughout his life, including the rise of fascism, communism, and eventually, the post-Soviet era. The painting is a chaotic array of colors and lines set against a white background. Swaths of yellows, greens, blues and browns jostle for attention, intermixed with tangled lines. The apparent lack of structure belies the inner emotions of the artist. It begs the question: How does Abstract Expressionism serve as an emotional outlet, particularly for artists who, like Cojan, have navigated a world of social and political complexity? Cojan left behind an artistic legacy that invites us to reflect on the interplay between personal experience, historical context, and artistic expression. It serves as a reminder that abstraction can be deeply resonant, offering a visual language for expressing the inexpressible.