Untitled (35-4) 1935

Balcomb Greene made this Untitled painting in 1935, using muted tones of grey, beige and blue to create a composition of geometric and organic shapes. Looking at it, I’m reminded of artmaking as a process of building, layering, and adjusting – kind of like a construction site. The painting has a matte surface, and it’s easy to see the individual brushstrokes. The paint is thin, almost like a stain, letting the texture of the surface come through. There’s one particular mark, a dark blue arc at the top, that feels both intentional and spontaneous. It’s like a horizon line, but also a brushstroke finding its way. I see echoes of early Cubism in this piece, but with a softer, more lyrical touch – maybe a little Fernand Léger mixed with Milton Avery? Greene’s work, like theirs, embraces ambiguity, inviting us to find our own meanings and connections within the painted surface.