Form II 1956

Lennart Rodhe made this painting, Form II, using the straightforward materials of canvas and paint. Rodhe was clearly interested in the basic qualities of his medium, and in the decisions involved with applying paint to a surface. He has built the painting with graphic shapes, and the color is applied in solid blocks, rather than blended or shaded. The texture of the canvas remains present, not heavily worked with impasto or hidden beneath layers of glazing. Rodhe is emphasizing the flat objecthood of the painting. There’s a deceptive simplicity to the painting, which is made evident by the artist's skillful articulation of form and composition. The visual impact of the painting lies not in technical complexity or expensive materials, but rather in a deep understanding of the artist's chosen materials and methods. This is a reminder that close attention to the making of things opens up new ways of seeing.