Balance (c.1919) by Francis Picabia

Balance - Francis Picabia - c.1919

Artwork Information

TitleBalance
ArtistFrancis Picabia
Datec.1919
Mediumoil,cardboard
Dimensions60 x 44 cm
Art MovementDada
Current LocationPrivate Collection

About Balance

The artwork entitled “Balance” by Francis Picabia, created circa 1919, is an oil on cardboard piece measuring 60 by 44 centimeters. As part of the Dada movement, this piece embodies the movement’s characteristic embrace of non-conformity and a break from traditional aesthetic values. Though it possesses a figurative aspect, “Balance” is not instantly decipherable as a representation of any specific physical object, instead, it explores abstract forms and their interplay. The painting is situated within a private collection.

The artwork is a composition of geometric and organic shapes artfully arranged to suggest a sense of equilibrium, as implied by its title. The use of contrasting forms—some filled in with solid black, others outlined and transparent—provides a visual tension that compels the viewer to consider the relationships between these elements. The muted background color further accentuates the boldness of the shapes and lines. The overall effect is one of harmony amid dissonance, a hallmark of the Dadaist approach to challenging established perceptions and encouraging new ways of seeing.

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