Chatel 1955

Richard Mortensen made this painting, "Chatel," with flat, deliberate shapes that have a surreal geometric vibe. It’s like a puzzle with a limited palette. The material quality is smooth; I can’t see any brushstrokes here. Mortensen’s process of artmaking feels concealed, quiet and controlled. Look at that thin curved line against the pale ground of this painting. It's so faint but essential to how the composition locks together. It softens the rigid structure while subtly pushing and pulling the composition. I love the tension it creates! This reminds me a little of Stuart Davis’s work, in the way that hard edges and flat planes come together to create a world with its own internal logic. Like much great art, it's an invitation to slow down, look closer, and question the stability of what we think we see.