Spectrum IV 1967

Ellsworth Kelly made this "Spectrum IV" by arranging strips of painted colors. Look at how each color has its own space, but they all line up together. The surface isn’t trying to trick you with illusions or hidden brushstrokes. What you see is what you get: pure color. Notice how the edges of each panel are so clean and precise. Kelly was all about making the paint feel flat and even, almost like the colors were printed on. There's a certain coolness to this, but it also invites you to really focus on the subtle differences between each color. It reminds me a bit of Josef Albers’ work with color interactions, but Kelly takes it to another level with the physical construction of the painting. It’s like he's saying, "Here are the colors, now go figure out how they make you feel." And that’s where the fun begins!