Nine-Sided Figure 1989

Sol LeWitt created this striking painting, entitled 'Nine-Sided Figure', with paint on canvas. LeWitt was a key figure of the Conceptual Art movement which emerged in the United States in the 1960s. His work aimed to challenge established art institutions and social norms, by removing the emphasis on the artist's skill, and prioritizing the underlying idea or concept behind the artwork. Conceptual artists like LeWitt were uneasy with the commercialization of art and the cult of the individual genius. The apparent simplicity of 'Nine-Sided Figure', with its clean lines and geometric shape, belies a complex theoretical framework. LeWitt's focus on mathematics and logic, reducing art to its most fundamental elements, was meant to demystify the artistic process and allow anyone to create similar works by following a set of instructions. To fully appreciate LeWitt's work, one can consult his writings, interviews, and the extensive body of critical literature surrounding Conceptual Art. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context, and art historians are essential in unraveling these layers of meaning.