Untitled 1965

Ronnie Landfield made this Untitled painting using traditional materials and processes. The artwork uses the most conventional material of all: acrylic paint. The material properties of acrylics—their brilliant, unctuous color, their ability to be applied in smooth, uniform coats—are on full display here. The flat planes of color assert themselves on the picture plane. You might also think of this painting in terms of process. With his careful outlining, Landfield seems to be channeling the graphic traditions of printmaking and graphic design. The sharp precision evident in the work requires both a skilled hand and careful application of masking techniques. It is almost as if the artist is interested in creating a painting which mimics industrial production. In the end, it is the painting’s combination of fine art and craft that makes it so compelling, challenging our traditional understanding of art.