Number 15 1961

Curator: At first glance, I find this composition to be incredibly calming. The interplay of the shapes and the balance within the image evoke a sense of peacefulness. Editor: Today we’re looking at John McLaughlin’s "Number 15," created in 1961. McLaughlin was a pioneer of hard-edge painting, which really emphasized clean lines and geometric forms. He often spoke of his work as aiming toward a kind of visual silence. Curator: "Visual silence" perfectly encapsulates my initial response! The restricted color palette, primarily black, white and this delicate sky-blue, helps to distill the image down to its essential elements. And it really enhances the negative space here too. Editor: Exactly. McLaughlin believed that simplicity in form could lead to a deeper contemplation. In a time when abstract expressionism was flourishing with its gestural marks and emphasis on the artist's emotion, McLaughlin chose a path of restraint. I wonder how audiences perceived this decision. Was it welcomed or met with opposition given prevailing trends? Curator: That's fascinating to consider, especially in the context of the Cold War and the burgeoning consumer culture of the early 60s. This aesthetic feels like a quiet rebellion against the noise and complexity of the modern world. But what do you make of the texture? The materiality? I find that the perfectly uniform fields of color limit what is visually interesting. Editor: Agreed, it’s hard to get a sense of the tactile from the image alone, but I think the key is to consider the composition—look at how the interplay between vertical and horizontal rectangles creates a sense of depth, even though it's entirely flat. Curator: Yes, the organization is definitely carefully orchestrated to trick the eye. Editor: This piece really highlights how art can invite a sort of contemplative experience. Even using basic geometric forms, McLaughlin gets viewers to stop, pause, and find quietude in the composition. Curator: Absolutely. And by considering the period in which it was made, we also reveal a work that acted against cultural trends of maximalism, bringing awareness to silence through pure geometric forms.