Relational Painting, Tondo #49 1952

Fritz Glarner made this *Relational Painting, Tondo #49* as part of his exploration of geometric abstraction. The palette is simple: red, yellow, blue, black, grey, and white, each color laid down with a kind of serene confidence. It’s artmaking as a focused, thoughtful process. What strikes me is the flatness of the colors and the slightly rough texture of the paint. You can almost feel the drag of the brush across the surface. Look at how the grey and white rectangles meet, creating a subtle vibration. This adds a layer of visual interest, and it speaks to the physicality of the medium itself. It’s not trying to trick you into seeing something that isn't there; it is honestly and unapologetically paint on canvas. Glarner's work reminds me a little of Mondrian, but with a softer, more playful touch. Both explored the limits of abstraction, but Glarner seems less dogmatic, more willing to embrace ambiguity and imperfection. It's this openness that makes his paintings so engaging.