Redness of Red 1985

This Robert Motherwell print, "Redness of Red", well, it wasn’t painted, it was printed. But his approach to the mark, the color, the process – you can tell he's a painter at heart. The thing that hits you first, of course, is the redness. It’s a ground, a feeling, a mood. Then come these torn paper edges, collaged with a kind of casual energy. The paper has a texture. It's so immediate and physical. Look at the bit of musical score poking out! It is like the quiet echo of a song. Motherwell is doing more than just arranging shapes, he's inviting us to piece together a feeling. Think of Kurt Schwitters or even Matisse’s cut-outs. Motherwell is in conversation with them, but he’s using color and gesture to tap into something raw and real. It’s not just about what it looks like, but how it makes you feel.