Woman and Cats 1969

Will Barnet made this intimate scene, “Woman and Cats”, and what strikes me most is the use of flat, almost abstract shapes to build the composition. The colors are muted, yet warm, giving off a sense of calm and quiet, like a secret moment captured. Barnet wasn't trying to trick us into thinking this was a real space, instead he shows us how shapes and colours can create feeling. Look at how the orange of the woman's dress glows against the gray background, and the solid black cats act as anchors, rooting the image in place. The way the artist builds the surface feels so intentional. Barnet seems like he’s in conversation with artists like Milton Avery, who also worked with simplified forms. The piece reminds us that art is about seeing and feeling, not just copying what's in front of us. It’s an invitation to slow down, to find beauty in simplicity, and to appreciate the quiet moments in life.