Untitled

The powerful simplicity that radiates from the surface of Agnes Martin’s Untitled is the physical manifestation of the artist’s spiritual views about life and the nature of art. It also stands as a testament to her skill of being able to visualize silence and her unique ability to convey the impact of an idea without the blatant use of imagery. As an early example of her mature work, Untitled softens the unforgiving lines that dominated the ascent of Minimalism and introduces a discernable quality of infinite delicacy and tranquility, enhanced by its serene palette of cerulean blue. This sense of stillness is the central pillar in Martin’s work; her paintings are meant not merely to be looked at, but also experienced. The intricacies of both the composition and the execution combine to form a work of extreme subtly; a work that expresses its supremacy by whispering its qualities rather than shouting them: "My interest is in an experience that is wordless and silent, and in the fact that this experience can be expressed for me in art work which is also wordless and silent" (A. Martin quoted in T. McEvilley, "Grey Geese Descending: The Art of Agnes Martin," Artforum, Summer 1987, p. 99).