Untitled. Verso: Pardon/Pardon/Waltz!/Waltz! 1950

Curator: Barnett Freedman’s lithograph, "Untitled. Verso: Pardon/Pardon/Waltz!/Waltz!", presents a close-up of a woman’s face, eyes closed, seemingly floating in water. Editor: There is such a serenity to the composition. The cool blues and strategic use of light across her face create an ethereal, almost dreamlike quality. Curator: Freedman was known for his innovative use of lithography, and here, the texture contributes significantly. The visible graininess and subtle color variations imbue a sense of depth. Editor: How do you read the washes of pale red amidst the blue? The forms, though subtle, look like tendrils reaching towards her. Curator: The red elements introduce a note of ambiguity, perhaps alluding to an internal conflict or hidden emotion beneath the placid surface. Editor: I find it curious that on the verso of this “Untitled” work, there are other words. The title seems to suggest something is forgiven, but the waltz gives it an odd juxtaposition. Curator: A work of art often becomes a locus of cultural dialogue. It is interesting to see how such simple details work in tandem. Editor: Indeed, and in this case, the dialogue continues even beyond the visible surface.