Untitled (Infernal figures) 

Editor: This is Albert Bloch's "Untitled (Infernal figures)," a painting rendered with oil paints. Looking at the composition and color choices, there's a real sense of unrest and chaos in this painting. How do you interpret this work, looking at the formal aspects? Curator: Formally, the painting exhibits a clear emphasis on color and dynamism. Notice the clashing hues – the vibrant reds, blues, and yellows – they're not blended to create harmony, but rather juxtaposed to produce visual tension. This tension is further amplified by the loose, gestural brushstrokes, characteristic of expressionism. It lacks conventional perspective, flattening the picture plane. Do you observe any clear focal point or center of balance? Editor: I don't, it all feels very fractured and… almost uncomfortable. Is that part of the intended effect? Curator: Precisely. The absence of a focal point disrupts any sense of stability. Our gaze is forced to dart around the canvas, mirroring the chaotic subject matter. Observe how the figures are rendered—elongated and distorted, lacking traditional anatomical accuracy. This deliberate departure from naturalism is key to understanding the work's expressive power. How does the materiality of the paint itself contribute? Editor: The thick application seems to give the figures weight and presence, even as they're abstracted. The texture seems really important in building a certain type of mood or tension... Curator: Indeed. Bloch's impasto technique, the build-up of paint on the surface, contributes to the overall sense of unease. It underscores the physicality of the work. Editor: So, through color, form, and application, Bloch constructs this sense of chaos just from the visual elements themselves? It is very cleverly put together! Curator: Yes. Bloch has presented us with an infernal vision that stems not just from the imagery but from the fundamental principles of painting. Understanding its formal qualities allows a deep appreciation of this emotionally turbulent piece.