Which is the Way to Barcelona 1970

Editor: This piece is called "Which is the Way to Barcelona," by William Roberts. The figures have a very blocky, almost mechanical appearance. What strikes you most about the composition? Curator: The reduction of human form to geometric components, particularly the cylindrical limbs and cubic torsos, commands our attention. Observe how Roberts employs line and color to flatten the picture plane, emphasizing the artwork's two-dimensionality. How does this formal reduction affect your interpretation? Editor: It definitely makes it feel less realistic, more like an idea of a scene. I see that the colour palette is minimal. It’s interesting how that creates such a distinct mood. Curator: Precisely. The restricted palette reinforces the formal structure. Roberts’s aesthetic choices present a compelling study in the power of abstraction. Editor: I hadn't noticed that so much before. Thanks for pointing that out.