Janus and the White Vertebra 1955

Will Barnet created Janus and the White Vertebra using oil on canvas. The painting features a stark palette dominated by yellow and black, punctuated by red and white, to create a visually arresting composition. Barnet arranges geometric and biomorphic shapes in a manner that evokes both figuration and abstraction. The two squares at the top, suggestive of faces or masks, prompt associations with the Roman god Janus, known for looking both to the past and the future. This theme may explore dualities – inner versus outer, conscious versus unconscious. The white 'vertebra' acts as a central pillar, perhaps symbolizing the spine or core of being, around which other forms seem to coalesce. Barnet's fusion of hard-edged forms with organic shapes destabilizes conventional categories, inviting viewers to question fixed meanings. By examining the visual elements, we can engage with broader philosophical questions about identity, perception, and the nature of existence itself. The stark contrasts and simplified forms function not just aesthetically, but as part of a larger discourse on the human condition.