A Perfect Equal Area I 1960

Alfred Jensen made this painting, A Perfect Equal Area I, with thick impasto and an earthy palette of yellows, reds, blues and blacks. He applied it in separate squares, each containing their own enigmatic glyph. Can you see the inverted hourglass, the dollar sign, the equals sign? It’s like a mathematical equation, or a secret code! I can imagine Jensen, working away in his studio, lost in thought. Each of these gestures probably has a specific meaning for him, built up over time, like a personal language. Look at how the yellow paint of the hourglass has been applied so thickly, with such a distinct texture. You can almost feel the artist’s hand at work! Jensen’s use of symbols and his interest in systems reminds me of the work of Agnes Martin. But where Martin is cool and minimal, Jensen is all warmth and vibrancy. Artists like Jensen remind us that painting is an ongoing conversation across time, and that each artist contributes their own unique voice. It’s a reminder to keep looking, keep experimenting, and keep pushing the boundaries of what painting can be.