Ordination of verticals 1911

Frantisek Kupka made this painting titled 'Ordination of verticals' with oil on canvas, and what strikes me first is how he builds this world with simple vertical marks. I love the color palette: blues and reds against muted grays. Look at how the paint is applied, thinly, almost like watercolor in some areas, which creates a sense of depth and transparency. But then there are these opaque vertical columns in red and blue that give the painting a solid structure. Take for instance that cluster of blue marks in the top right, they look almost like tassels. It’s fascinating how he uses these simple shapes to create such a complex and dynamic composition. Kupka's work reminds me of Sonia Delaunay, another artist who was interested in the relationship between color and form. And, like Delaunay, Kupka embraces ambiguity. It’s not about finding a definitive meaning but about engaging with the painting as a visual experience.