Untitled (Abstraction) 1939

This abstract print by Charles William Smith presents a dynamic interplay of geometric shapes and colors. Predominant are the squares, triangles, and segments of circles, forms that evoke the modernist desire to deconstruct reality into its most essential components. Consider the recurring motif of the square, a symbol of stability and order. It's a shape that appears throughout history, from the foundations of ancient cities to the philosophical emblems of the Renaissance. Yet, here, the squares are fractured and tilted, suggesting a world that is perhaps stable, but undergoing dramatic shifts. This tension between order and chaos resonates on a psychological level. The subconscious yearns for structure, but also recognizes the inevitability of change. Smith’s composition is a visual representation of this conflict, engaging us in a timeless, cyclical process of recognizing, dismantling, and reassembling our understanding of the world.