Painted canvas fragment c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have Barnett Newman's "Painted canvas fragment," its date unknown. It's an irregularly shaped piece of canvas, dominated by a striking red hue. What strikes you most about this work? Curator: The fragment's intense chromatic presence demands attention. Note the subtle variations within the red field itself. Do you perceive any textural nuances or impasto effects? Editor: I see slight variations, almost like brushstrokes, giving it depth. Curator: Precisely. It is the materiality, the very substance of paint applied to canvas, that constitutes the artwork's essence. The fragment compels us to consider the artwork as an object in itself. Editor: I see it now! It's not about what it represents, but what it *is*. Thanks for helping me understand.