Untitled c. 1940

This untitled artwork by Edmund D. Lewandowski uses an industrial colour palette of blues, greys and reds, sharply delineated in opaque blocks to abstract the lines of the image. Looking closely, I see that Lewandowski has built this image up through a process of layering, each precisely-placed form determined by what has come before. There is a strong sense of geometry which belies the subtle variations in tone and texture that make this feel like a hand-made, rather than mechanical, image. The brushstrokes visible within the blocks of colour suggest the human element, hinting at the artist's touch in constructing this scene. The red block which suggests a building in the middle of the image, draws my eye again and again. Its warmth anchors the image, despite its small size. It makes me think of the industrial paintings of Charles Sheeler, but with a modern, playful touch. Ultimately, it reminds us that art is a conversation across time, always open to new interpretations.