Cathedral 1913

Frantisek Kupka made Cathedral with oil on canvas, but the exact date is unknown. Looking at the painting, it's clear Kupka was fascinated by process. The geometric forms create a striking visual rhythm. Up close, the painting has a real materiality to it. You can see each brushstroke, each decision. The blues are so deep, almost like looking into a night sky, while the reds provide an earthy grounding. The way he built up these blocks of color reminds me of stained glass. I love the little pops of red against the cool blues, they feel like little sparks of energy, kind of defiant. Kupka was clearly looking at a lot of different things at once. There’s a little bit of Mondrian’s geometry in there, but also something of Delaunay’s colour explorations. For me, this painting is a reminder that art isn't about answers but about the questions we ask along the way.