Painting 98-19 1998

Editor: Here we have Rudolf de Crignis’s "Painting 98-19" from 1998. It’s essentially a monochrome blue square... but somehow, that expanse of blue is so captivating. What's your take? Curator: Captivating is a good word. For me, it whispers rather than shouts. I'm drawn to the idea of this almost pure field of color – it reminds me of Yves Klein’s blues, but softer. It invites contemplation, a deep dive into the subtleties of the color itself. Does it evoke any particular feelings or memories for you? Editor: I can see the resemblance to Yves Klein! It does feel like I could get lost in this blue. It’s serene, but also intense. Does the "negative space" tag refer to that kind of contemplative depth? Curator: I think it speaks to the way the painting exists in the gallery space. The painting *is* the figure and everything around it – the white wall, the architecture, the viewer – becomes the ground. Do you think that white surrounding amplifies the blue or diminishes it? Editor: That's a great way to put it. I think the white border intensifies the blue by providing stark contrast. Without that, the painting might feel less... defined, maybe? Curator: Exactly! And that tension, that interplay, makes it a rewarding piece, I think. Colour Field paintings, like this, challenge us to really *see*. And feeling the work? Editor: I see that this is all about the emotional response of this abstract world. Thanks so much. Curator: Indeed. A single colour becomes an universe. Thank you, it was nice to share thoughts.