Untitled 1974

This work from 1974 by Brice Marden is made with ink on paper, it's kind of diamond shaped. The black lines are really dominant, but you can see a subtler grid in the background. I imagine Marden slowly building up the image, almost like a meditative act. The paper isn’t perfectly white; it gives it some texture and warmth. Some of the lines are darker than others. It looks like he's exploring a structured composition but also letting the ink do its thing. Look at the way the ink pools in certain spots! Marden's known for his interest in grids and geometry. You can see him playing with these elements here, but with a looseness that keeps it from feeling too rigid. This piece reminds me a bit of Agnes Martin's drawings, but with more obvious gesture. It's like Marden is having a conversation with other artists through his work, riffing on their ideas and pushing them in new directions. Ultimately it's a reminder that painting is a journey, not just a destination.