Negre i roig V: A damunt vermell 1976

Antoni Tàpies created 'Negre i roig V: A damunt vermell' using the color red to go beyond a simple aesthetic. Born in Barcelona, Tàpies lived through the Spanish Civil War and the Franco dictatorship, formative events which shaped his artistic vision. His use of deep reds and blacks, paired with what appear to be scratches, creates a somber emotional landscape. The color may evoke blood, trauma and the deep wounds inflicted during those years of conflict. The bold 'A', scrawled across the canvas, could be interpreted as a reference to anarchy or resistance, a silent act of defiance against oppression. Tàpies’ work isn't just about what you see, but what you feel. He once said, "Art is a means of knowledge... a means of expression and a means of rising above the world." By reducing form to color, Tàpies encourages a deeper emotional connection with the artwork, reflecting both personal and collective experiences of pain, resilience, and the enduring human spirit.