Les fenêtres 1966

Nono Reinhold made this etching titled Les fenêtres, which translates to The Windows, using black ink. It’s a fascinating dance of geometric shapes. The image is built with layers of rectangles and squares which look like tiny windows, each containing its own unique texture and tone. There’s a real sense of process here. The ink isn’t uniformly applied, letting the paper texture show through, adding a layer of depth and rawness. Look closely at the top row, do you see how the rectangles have curved tops? This small detail gives the piece a sense of architectural grandeur, almost like a gothic cathedral. It’s interesting to think about how such a simple shape can evoke such complex emotions. The overall affect is like looking at an urban block, a whole world in a tiny space. This work reminds me of Mondrian's grids, but with a more playful and less rigid approach.