Saphirogramme 1969

Endre Rozsda made this painting, Saphirogramme, out of oil on canvas, and what strikes me first is its layered intricacy. It’s a beautiful demonstration of how art is about layering and building, both physically and conceptually. The texture is key; you can almost feel the build-up of paint, like sediment over time. Rozsda uses blues, whites, and greys to create a dream-like world. Look closely, and you'll see how each little mark, each dab and stroke, contributes to this overall feeling. The way the paint is applied—sometimes thin and transparent, sometimes thick and opaque—creates a visual rhythm. My eye is drawn to the lower centre, where there are a few pale yellow spheres, resting precariously on a tessellated surface. Rozsda's work reminds me a bit of Klimt, particularly in its density and ornamentation, but he’s pushing into abstraction. It's a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation, always evolving. And like any good conversation, it leaves you with more questions than answers.