Homage to the Square 1963

This is one of Josef Albers’ celebrated ‘Homage to the Square’ paintings. Imagine Albers in his studio, meticulously layering oil paint to explore how colors interact. There’s a real sense of process here, with each square emerging from the last, one colour affecting how we see the next. The surface has this beautiful, almost velvety texture that invites you closer. Look at how the greens shift from a brighter, more vibrant hue to a darker, earthier tone, before settling on that tranquil central square. I can almost feel Albers considering the behaviour of colour, the nuances of pigment, each square a little experiment. It reminds me of other artists of the time preoccupied with colour and form – like Agnes Martin. Artists are always riffing off of one another; this careful, quiet work chimes with a long history of thinking about perception. This is painting at its most contemplative and considered, an invitation to slow down and really see.