Ellsworth Kelly’s 2003 lithograph ‘Red,’ from his ‘Fourth Curve Series,’ represents the culmination of his exploration into the simplicity and purity of form and color. The artwork is a stunning example of Kelly's reductionist abstract aesthetic, featuring a bold red curve on a pristine white background. This composition strips away all but the essential, focusing on an unbroken and sweeping curve that dominates the space it inhabits. The choice of red is particularly striking, as it invokes a visceral reaction, while the curve itself is smooth and serene, evoking a sense of completeness and self-containment. Kelly's use of color and form in ‘Red’ is not just an aesthetic choice but a philosophical statement on the nature of perception and the interaction of viewer and artwork.

In the last decade of his career, Kelly's works like ‘Red’ demonstrate a significant purification and maturity, reflecting a deepened focus on monochrome compositions. This phase of his oeuvre is marked by an even greater emphasis on the essential elements of art, reducing distractions to emphasize the impact of simple forms. This work belongs to the ‘Fourth Curve Series,’ a part of Kelly’s continuous exploration of curved forms which he began in the late 1970s. The series showcases his mastery in handling color and shape to create a powerful visual and emotional experience without the crutch of complex imagery or narrative.

Kelly’s enduring collaboration with the Gemini G.E.L. studio in Los Angeles played a crucial role in the realization of his lithographs. Gemini G.E.L. provided him the technical capability to execute his visions with precision and fidelity, particularly in the challenging pure color fields and pristine execution that characterize his later works. This partnership highlights the importance of technical innovation in printmaking, allowing Kelly to push the boundaries of traditional printmaking and explore new potentials within the medium.

The importance of the curve in Kelly's work, and its relation to natural forms and elements, echoes the long-lasting influences in his work of Henri Matisse, who also utilized the curve to abstract and distill the essence of nature in his art. Matisse’s influence is evident in Kelly's thematic focus on the curve as a natural form, simplifying complex visual narratives into universal geometric elements. Kelly's work, through pieces like ‘Red,’ significantly contributed to what is considered the American Renaissance in printmaking. By elevating the print medium beyond mere reproduction to become a fundamental field of artistic innovation, Kelly helped to redefine American art in the latter half of the 20th century, underscoring the print’s role as a critical component of contemporary artistic expression.

NOTES

This artwork is signed and numbered in pencil, from the edition of 45, plus 12 artist's proofs.