Untitled Etching #1 1969

Barnett Newman made this etching in 1969, and it's all about the power of the simplest forms. The 'zip', as he called it, is what really grabs me; how something so apparently simple can be so charged. Look at that central black stripe. It's not just a line; it's a solid, textured presence that divides the space, creating these two zones, each with its own atmospheric depth. The lines aren’t perfect, they're slightly wobbly, a testament to the human hand. It's a deeply material piece, from the grainy texture of the etched lines to the stark contrast between black and white. This work reminds me a little of Agnes Martin, in its quiet, meditative quality. With Newman, it’s not about a single meaning but the potential for multiple readings. It’s like he is saying that less is more.