Open Window 1961

Moshe Kupferman made this, 'Open Window', with paint on canvas. Look at Kupferman’s vertical marks; they build this space. You can almost feel the brush dragging down the surface, sometimes wet, sometimes dry. Like a process of layering and removal. I’m really drawn to the hints of a structure in the middle of the canvas. What is that? A window, or a frame? It’s unclear. I like how he gives us these little geometric anchors amidst all the atmospheric space. The pale blues and greens give the painting a watery feel. It reminds me of Cy Twombly’s blackboard paintings, but with a softer touch. Kupferman isn’t trying to show us a window so much as share the feeling of looking through one. I find that generosity very moving.