Solitaire 

Richard Lindner’s painting titled 'Solitaire' presents us with a fragmented figure and a bold arrangement of geometric forms against a dark ground, creating a visually striking composition. Notice the interplay of hard-edged shapes and vivid colours, which evoke both a sense of disjointedness and calculated precision. Lindner’s use of geometric abstraction invites a semiotic reading. The fragmented body, rendered with an almost mechanical coldness, disrupts the conventional representation of the human form. This breakdown suggests a deeper commentary on the alienation and objectification of individuals. The playing card, a diamond, held by a gloved hand, alongside the geometric shapes, could be seen as symbols within a constructed system of meaning. Through these formal devices, Lindner challenges the viewer to question fixed meanings and consider how our perceptions are structured by codes and conventions. Lindner's calculated disruption destabilizes established categories of representation. This invites ongoing interpretation and re-interpretation of the artist's intent and its cultural implications.