Equations 1965

Jimmy Ernst made this enigmatic painting, Equations, with oil on canvas. Look how the surface shimmers with layers of delicate, web-like lines. For me, this is what painting is all about - a process of layering, building up textures and colours until something unexpected emerges. The painting is divided into distinct areas, each with its own character. The left side features cool blues and greens, crossed by bold, black lines, like looking through a window into another world. Then your eye hits the panel on the right, a vibrant mix of reds and oranges, again with those intricate webs of black lines creating a sense of depth and complexity. I’m especially drawn to how Ernst manages to create such a tactile surface with such delicate marks. This reminds me a little of Agnes Martin's work, with their shared emphasis on line and subtle colour shifts, but Ernst's painting has a darker, more mysterious quality. Ultimately, this piece is about the act of seeing, inviting us to explore the many possible equations of colour, line, and texture, and the endless conversations that happen across time.