Print 7 1967

Bernard Cohen made this artwork, called Print 7, at an unknown date and with an unknown medium; it looks like it could be enamel, or maybe acrylic paint on canvas. There’s a curious contrast between the large area of white or cream paint and the small black circle in the lower right, the only gesture visible to the eye. This circle is almost like an unresolved mark, a start without a middle or end, like a full stop, suggesting an area of endless potential. The surface seems smooth, obscuring the process by which it was made. This work is reminiscent of Agnes Martin, who explored subtle variations within minimalist frameworks. Like Martin, Cohen invites a slower, more contemplative mode of viewing, where meaning emerges gradually through sustained attention. The apparent simplicity of the artwork serves to enhance the importance of each minor variation and invites a meditative approach to seeing.