Color Theory Diagram 1940

Curator: Here we have Stuart Davis’s "Color Theory Diagram," made circa 1940. Immediately, I am struck by the work's seeming simplicity. Editor: Yes, the diagram is a fascinating distillation of color relationships. It presents itself as a simple sketch, yet implies a broader understanding of color theory. Curator: For me, the work demonstrates how visual language is codified through symbols and structures. What do red, green, and their various shades mean within this framework? Editor: Perhaps Davis reflects a need to reconcile the emotional vibrancy of color with the precision of geometric structure. It shows an attempt to order the world, reflecting Davis's experience of social and political upheavals. Curator: I appreciate that Davis is attempting to bring structure and form to something as inherently fluid as color. Editor: And I am more interested in what drove Davis to create this key and how it speaks to the turbulent times in which the work was created.