Amenophis 1950

Willi Baumeister made this print, Amenophis, using lithography, and it’s like a playground of shapes and colors dancing on paper. Look at how Baumeister applies the ink, creating forms that teeter between representation and abstraction. The blacks are bold, almost assertive, while the blues and reds pop like unexpected guests at a party. It's all about the push and pull of textures, the rough edges against the smooth surfaces. It is easy to see how Baumeister's time at the Bauhaus influenced his process-led approach to art making. Check out that red splotch near the top, like a rogue brushstroke escaped from another painting, or maybe a flash of emotion. It’s these small moments that give the piece its personality. Baumeister reminds me a little of Paul Klee, playing with symbols and signs, using the language of art to create his own visual world. Art is an ongoing conversation, a constant exchange of ideas across time.