Distorted Circle within a Polygon I 1972

Robert Mangold made this painting, Distorted Circle within a Polygon I, with acrylic and pencil. It’s a funny combination of geometric precision and wonky hand-drawn lines. Like, he's trying to be all logical but the human element keeps sneaking in, right? The yellow shape, that’s not quite a square but also not a circle, sits on a matte black ground. It’s a pretty smooth surface, the paint isn’t troweled on or anything, but you can see the slight variations in the yellow. I love how the circle is defined by a simple graphite line, just barely there, like a whisper. It makes you wonder about the process. Did he use a compass? Did he wing it? That simple mark creates the whole tension of the piece. Mangold reminds me a bit of Sol LeWitt, but with a warmer touch. He invites you to think about shapes, space, and perception, but also to feel something in the process. It's an invitation to embrace the unexpected, the off-kilter, and the beauty of imperfection.