Woman Reading 1970

Will Barnet made this painting, Woman Reading, with precise lines, a limited palette, and flat planes, like he's arranging paper cut-outs. What a process! The smoothness of the surface and simple shapes give the painting a cool, serene vibe. The red, white, and blue create a graphic punch, balanced by the gentle peach tones of the woman's face and hands. Her gaze is direct, a little unsettling even, like she's daring you to interrupt her reading. And the cat...it's nestled so perfectly in the crook of her arms, another geometric shape, anchoring the composition. This reminds me of Milton Avery, with a similar quiet intensity and focus on color relationships. But unlike Avery's looser, more expressive brushwork, Barnet's painting has a stillness that borders on the surreal. There's ambiguity, and multiple interpretations are welcome.