The Moors 1947

Karl Knaths made this landscape painting, titled "The Moors", in the United States sometime in the mid-20th century. It uses flattened geometric forms to create an image that’s somewhere between representation and abstraction. Knaths was associated with the avant-garde art scene in New York, where artists were grappling with new ways of seeing and representing the world in the wake of European modernism. Knaths drew inspiration from Cubism but developed his own distinct visual language. The title, "The Moors," evokes a sense of place, but it might also subtly reference the cultural heritage of North Africa and medieval Spain. During Knaths' time, American artists and intellectuals were becoming more interested in non-Western cultures, but these interests could also be filtered through a colonial lens. Understanding the social and intellectual milieu in which Knaths worked helps us decode his art. Primary sources like artist’s letters, exhibition catalogues, and critical reviews offer valuable insight. Ultimately, the meaning of art is shaped by the ever-changing contexts in which it is created and viewed.