Harmonic Construction 1951

Camille Graeser made this painting, Harmonic Construction, with a specific intention of order in mind. As a painter, I can imagine the artist's thought process - the careful selection of each color, like these primary yellows and blues. They feel carefully considered as he built up this composition, trying to strike a balance between harmony and a little bit of playful discord. The contrasting black shapes add a touch of weight, grounding the overall lightness, whilst the planes jostle against each other. I bet Graeser was thinking about the legacy of Mondrian when making this, but I imagine he wanted to push those ideas, and free the constraints of the grid with something a bit more lively. Painting is often a conversation like that, where we add our voices and find new approaches.