Breve VI 1985

Jean Degottex made "Breve VI" using monochromatic restraint and a sensitive touch, building up the image through intuitive movements. I can imagine Degottex, maybe in his studio in Paris, considering how the paint can both conceal and reveal. It's as if he's asking, "What happens if I let the material speak?" See how thin the paint is, almost like ink, allowing the surface to peek through, creating an illusion of depth. The dark solid block on the left is almost scary, but the texture stops it being too imposing. The marks, those vertical dribbles, maybe he made them with one long, continuous breath. I wonder if he was influenced by Asian calligraphy, the way each stroke holds so much intention? It feels like he's in conversation with other painters who explore the power of gesture, like Franz Kline or even Agnes Martin, finding a place where action meets contemplation. Ultimately, he's reminding us that painting isn't just about what we see, but how we see, and what we feel in the process.