Painting VI 1916

"Painting VI" (1916) by Morton Schamberg (1881–1918) is a prime example of American Modernism. It is a semi-abstract depiction of a machine, likely a printing press, rendered in a simplified, geometric style. The dominant shades of blue, grey, and white lend a sense of coolness and industrialization. Schamberg's work, like that of his contemporaries, sought to capture the essence of modern life and technology through a new visual language. The influence of Cubism and Futurism is evident in the fragmented forms and dynamic composition.