Grid I (Lewison 17) 

Brice Marden created this abstract grid using graphite on paper. Marden emerged as an artist in the late 1960s, when there was a widespread urge to question traditional art forms. Conceptual artists, performance artists, and land artists tested the limits of what could be considered art, and Marden was part of this social phenomenon, even though he remained a painter. He was interested in process and material and his Minimalist style became a distinctive challenge to Abstract Expressionism. The repetitive lines and muted tones of this artwork stand as a radical departure from the heroic gestures and existential angst associated with his predecessors. Marden embraced simplicity and restraint, mirroring the broader cultural shift towards questioning established norms. To fully grasp the significance of Marden's work, one must delve into the cultural climate of the late 20th century, using exhibition histories, critical reviews, and artists' statements. Art history reveals the complex interplay between artistic creation and the ever-changing dynamics of society.