Number 13 1973

John McLaughlin made "Number 13" with oil on canvas. The striking starkness of this painting is all about how the material is handled. Look closely, and you'll see the deep matte quality of the black paint, contrasted against the pale white and grey stripes. This isn't a bravura display of brushwork; instead, it's about the industrial application of paint. Perhaps McLaughlin used rollers or other tools to achieve that flawless surface. And that's crucial, because it allows the pure forms to take center stage. The color is applied with precision, and the canvas provides a smooth, uniform foundation. There is a huge amount of labor involved in creating such apparent simplicity. By emphasizing the starkness and geometry of the form, McLaughlin pushes against the traditional separation of painting from the more systematic processes of industrial design.