Colored Drawing 1963

Fritz Glarner's "Colored Drawing" presents a compelling exploration of form, line, and color, encased within a circle. The composition consists of rectangular forms in primary colors—red, blue, and yellow—alongside shades of grey, and blacks. These elements intersect and overlay to produce a dynamic visual rhythm, yet there is a tension between geometric abstraction and the organic qualities of hand-drawn lines. The sketched lines give it an immediacy and personal touch, contrasting with the clean precision often associated with abstract art. Glarner was deeply influenced by the De Stijl movement, which sought a universal visual language through pure abstraction. Here, he pushes against the movement's rigid constraints. By integrating hand-drawn lines, Glarner humanizes geometric forms and complicates any straightforward reading, encouraging us to look closely and question what we see.