1488 

Paul-Émile Borduas created this dynamic abstract painting, simply titled “1488,” with oil on canvas sometime around 1956. Borduas was a leading figure in the Automatiste movement in Quebec, Canada, and his work often reflects a rejection of traditional artistic conventions in favor of spontaneous expression. The painting’s title, a seemingly arbitrary number, perhaps hints at the anxieties and disruptions of the mid-20th century. Borduas was excommunicated from Quebec for his art; his manifesto was perceived as an attack on the conservative values of the province. This act forced him into exile. The painting’s stark contrast between black and white, punctuated by the occasional flash of red or blue, creates a sense of tension and unease. The thick, gestural brushstrokes convey a sense of urgency and emotional intensity, reflecting the turmoil and uncertainty of Borduas’s own life and the broader social and political context of the time. The abstraction allows for a multitude of interpretations. It invites us to confront our own feelings about what happened in Quebec and other social justice issues.