Canto XVI 1963 - 1964

Editor: Here we have Barnett Newman’s "Canto XVI", undated, but likely from the 1960s. The vibrant red is so striking! What do you see in this piece? Curator: The material reality of the printmaking process is central here. Consider the labor involved in creating such uniform expanses of color. How does the layering of ink, the registration, speak to the social context of mass production versus the aura of the unique artwork? Editor: That's a good point. The uniformity seems almost… industrial. It is more than just red blocks! Curator: Exactly. The slightly varied textures within the red fields, almost like different patinas, could suggest the artist's hand pushing back against the impersonality of industrial processes. Think about his choice to print versus paint. Does this change the viewer's experience? Editor: I see. So, it's not just about the color, but the means and implications of its production. Thanks!