First Conversion 2003

"First Conversion" is a minimalist painting created in 2003 by Robert Ryman. It features a single black dot in the center of a large, off-white canvas, emphasizing the materiality of the painting and the act of painting itself. The absence of any other imagery invites viewers to focus on the subtle variations in color and texture, making it a characteristic piece of Ryman's exploration of the fundamental elements of painting. This minimal approach is quintessential in Minimalism, a 20th-century art movement, known for its simplified forms and emphasis on essential visual elements.