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Will BarnetDialogue in Green1969
1969
About the Item
In "Dialogue in Green," Will Barnet masterfully employs precision and simplification of forms, showcasing his matured artistic style at the peak of his creative wisdom by 1969. This painting reflects his unique approach to merging abstraction with figuration, a hallmark of Barnet’s oeuvre.
Barnet’s precise use of line and form strips away unnecessary detail, leaving behind the essence of his subjects. In the painting, the figures of Ona and the cat are stylized with bold outlines and minimalistic shapes, accentuating their presence and emotional undertones without overwhelming complexity. This technique allows viewers to focus on the emotional and symbolic content of the work.
The composition is carefully balanced, guiding the viewer's eye through the painting in a harmonious manner. Barnet arranges elements within the piece to create a sense of calm and introspection. The interplay of geometric patterns, such as the simple yet elegant lines of the patterned rug, complements the organic forms, reinforcing the theme of interior dialogue and personal reflection.
By reaching a synthesis between abstraction and figuration, Barnet crafts a narrative that is both personal and universal. His abstraction provides space for interpretation and emotional resonance, while the figuration keeps the work grounded in relatable human experience.
Through these artistic choices, Barnet achieves a timeless quality in "Dialogue in Green," encapsulating a moment of quiet contemplation. The painting demonstrates how, by 1969, Barnet had honed his skills to express profound emotional depth with economy and elegance, thus solidifying his position in the realm of modern art.
PROVENANCE:
Connecticut Fine Arts, Inc., Westport, Connecticut (with Hirschl & Adler Galleries, Inc., New York);
Private collection, Glen Rock, New Jersey, acquired from the above, 1975;
EXHIBITED:
Neuberger Museum, State University of New York, Purchase College, Purchase, New York, and elsewhere, "Will Barnet: Twenty Years of Painting and Drawing," November 4, 1979-January 13, 1980.
"You have to believe in what you're doing. In the long run, you have to feel that what you're doing, regardless of the trends, will have a lasting quality. Someday someone may pick it up and recognize that it was superior."
-Will Barnet
A poem written by Brazilian poet Salgado Maranhão (Caxias Brazil 1953 -)
Beneath the Gaze of Will Barnet
(Dialogue in Green, 1969)
They are knit of the same
flesh
of absence, even
when—present—
they flow together.
For they are dressed
in the skins
of the night.
(an atavistic heritage
where guilt has no
face and where one plays chess
with nothingness)
Ah,
if I could only lash
their fears,
underscore
their inmost cells
exactly where nothing ever will be said.
but I am broken
into many,
subtracted
from the absence of myself.
The picture represents Will Barnet daughter Ona at age 14/15 with the family cat
Ona's back turned towards the viewer can symbolize the introspective journey many adolescents experience as they navigate the complexities of physical and emotional changes. This posture suggests her internal struggle and quest for self-identity and understanding, distancing herself momentarily from the external world.
The subtle gesture of her right hand towards the cat highlights a point of communication and connection within the safe confines of her immediate environment. The cat's gaze, directed at the viewer, serves as a guardian or mediator, signaling that Ona's personal space and growth must be respected.
The overall silence depicted in the painting creates a metaphorical shield, offering Ona a sanctuary for her internal dialogue—a place away from the external noise where she can explore her thoughts and emotions. The title "Dialogue in Green" encapsulates this communication, not through words, but through a contemplative interaction between Ona and her environment.
This interpretation paints a picture of adolescence as a quiet, introspective time when individuals seek to understand themselves and the world around them, amidst the protective silence that allows for personal growth and understanding.
- Creator:Will Barnet (1911, American)
- Creation Year:1969
- Dimensions:Height: 32.5 in (82.55 cm)Width: 57.5 in (146.05 cm)
- More Editions & Sizes:UniquePrice: $225,000
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Framing:Framing Options Available
- Condition:Unlined canvas. Under UV exam, there does not appear to be inpaint. Framed Dimensions 43 X 67.5 Inches.
- Gallery Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2836215720452
Will Barnet
At the beginning of his career, Will Barnet was known for his figural depictions of domestic scenes. But, as he continued to stylistically develop, Barnet arrived at abstract geometric paintings far removed from his original career. A part of the Indian Space Painters group, Barnet was inspired by Native American art in creating these divergent images. Throughout his career, Barnet oscillated between representational and abstract paintings, never fully settling on one. He has received the National Medal of Arts in 2011, and his work has been displayed at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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