Composition 1947

Félix Del Marle's Composition, made with paint sometime in the early 20th century, is all about simplified forms and colours. It is like a landscape, but instead of trees and mountains, we have flat planes of colour that suggest a world beyond the canvas. Look how the planes intersect and overlap. The brown backdrop makes a subtle contrast with the bold blues and yellows, creating depth. These aren't blended or softened; instead, the shapes are clearly defined, almost architectural, but not quite. They float and hover, creating a sense of weightlessness and ambiguity. I am thinking of Mondrian when I see this work, it's like he found a way to make his work more mysterious. Del Marle embraces the idea that art doesn't have to represent something literal. It can be about the interplay of shapes, colours, and ideas, inviting us to bring our own imagination to the table. What do you see?