Art Theory Text with Maximum Ratio Differential Diagrams 1955

Curator: This is Stuart Davis's "Art Theory Text with Maximum Ratio Differential Diagrams," a small, undated study housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The ink on paper gives us some insight into Davis's artistic process. Editor: It feels like a page ripped straight from a mad genius's notebook! The blue ink sketches, almost like architectural blueprints, hint at a structured mind wrestling with abstract ideas. Curator: Davis was deeply engaged with theories of abstraction and how perception works. He aimed to create a uniquely American form of modern art. Editor: There's an appealing sense of experimentation here, of someone not afraid to dissect the very essence of visual experience. It's a refreshingly informal invitation into the artist's mind. Curator: Absolutely, and within the context of art history, we see this as Davis attempting to codify his approach, bridging abstract theory with tangible artistic practice. Editor: It makes me want to grab a pen and start diagramming my own thoughts, see where it leads.