Roddexercis 1917

Gosta Adrian-Nilsson made this painting, Roddexercis, in oil, and what strikes me first is its diamond shape. It’s like he wanted to create a jewel, a compressed world of color and form. Looking closely, the surface is alive with geometric shapes and vibrant colors. See how the blues and greens create a sense of depth, like water reflecting light? Then, bam! The reds of those vertical bars jolt us forward. It's like a secret code where each shape and color holds a clue. The paint isn’t smooth, it’s got texture, little bumps and ridges that catch the light. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the canvas, building up layers of meaning. Adrian-Nilsson reminds me of Marsden Hartley, who also played with symbolism and abstraction. Art is an ongoing conversation, a constant exchange of ideas and forms. Ultimately, it's up to us to decide what they mean, and maybe, just maybe, there's no right answer at all.