Cadmium with Violet, Scarlet, Emerald, Lemon and Venetian : 1969 1969

Curator: This is Patrick Heron's "Cadmium with Violet, Scarlet, Emerald, Lemon and Venetian" from 1969, housed at the Tate. Editor: Well, it certainly is vibrant. The sheer scale of it dominates the space. It has a very bold, almost assertive presence. Curator: Indeed. Heron was a key figure in British abstract painting. Note how the colour relationships create their own spatial dynamics on the massive canvas. Editor: And that placement of colours! It's like observing a battle between pure aesthetic formalism, and Heron's political engagement. Curator: It represents a shift in Heron’s career, as he moved toward bolder color. This piece can be placed alongside a larger societal movement towards bold color palettes. Editor: So much energy contained in these blocks of paint. It's like an artifact of its time. Curator: A true conversation piece about color theory. Editor: Certainly leaves quite an impression, doesn't it?