[no title] 1972

Editor: This untitled piece is by Robert Ryman. It's, well, mostly white. It feels like a study in the subtle variations of the same color. What do you see in this piece as an expert? Curator: I observe a rigorous investigation of the picture plane. The application of white paint, its texture and density, become the subject. Note the slight tonal shifts; they articulate the surface. Editor: So it's about the materiality of the paint itself, rather than trying to depict something else? Curator: Precisely. Ryman directs our attention to the essential elements of painting: surface, color, and the act of application. The subtle differences invite sustained looking. Editor: I hadn't considered it that way. It's interesting how much complexity there is when you really look closely. Curator: Indeed. It's a testament to the power of reduction.