Number 2 1971

John McLaughlin made "Number 2" with paint, and what grabs me is how he coaxes so much emotion out of so little. The off-white feels calm but expansive, right? Then bam, these two vertical stripes punch through, dividing the canvas and your attention. That matte black is so absolute, a stark contrast to the subtle warmth of the brownish band nestled next to it. It's almost a whisper, a quiet counterpoint to the black's intensity. Look how the colors don't blend or fade; they just *are*. It reminds me of Ad Reinhardt, stripping things down to essentials, making you feel the weight of color and form. McLaughlin asks: what's the least I can do to create the most? Is it empty, or is it full of potential? That's the question this painting throws at you.