Parva XII 1977

Anne Truitt made this painted wood sculpture, Parva XII, sometime in her career, and it’s a quiet stunner. Look at how she's built up these layers of paint. There is something so meditative about the process, the repetitive action of applying color, sanding it down, and then reapplying. I’m really drawn to the surface of this piece, how the subtle variations in the pale blue create depth. You can almost feel the texture of the wood beneath, even though it’s been smoothed over with layers of pigment. And that darker blue line near the bottom? It's like a grounding force, anchoring the sculpture to the ground. I’m reminded of Agnes Martin, another artist who used subtle color and repetitive forms to create a sense of calm and contemplation. Ultimately, this is a work that rewards close looking and patient observation.