Untitled (Abstraction) 1939

This is an undated abstract print by Charles William Smith. Here, concentric circles and squares of varying sizes are printed in muted tones. These shapes float against a textured background. The composition centers around geometric forms. The circles suggest movement and expansion. The squares, in contrast, introduce stability and order. This interplay between the organic and the geometric creates visual tension, destabilizing fixed meanings and categories. The central square features a small, off-center circle which acts as a focal point that draws us into the composition. Smith's use of simple forms and lines, along with the print’s subtle coloring, functions as a semiotic system. The lines and shapes become signs that invite interpretation. It also prompts questions about the nature of perception and the relationship between form and space. Each viewing offers an opportunity for fresh understanding.