The artwork titled “Homage to the Square: Broad Call” was created by artist Josef Albers in 1967. This particular piece is executed in oil on board and measures 121.9 by 121.9 centimeters. It is part of the “Homage to the Square” series, which explores the interactions between colors and simple geometric shapes. Albers, one of the prominent figures in Abstract Art and Op Art movements, has his work housed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, US. The genre of the artwork is abstract, encapsulating the essence of these art movements through the use of a limited form—a square—and the complex play of color within it.
The artwork presents a series of concentric squares, each nested within another. The colors shift subtly from one square to the next, creating an impression of depth and movement, despite the flatness of the surface. Through the careful placement of color and the precision of the shapes, Albers invites the observer to ponder the relationships between the colors, the effects created by their juxtaposition, and the overall impact of color on perception. The use of the square, a basic and unadorned geometric shape, allows for a pure focus on these color interactions. This piece exemplifies Albers’ meticulous study of color theory and his dedication to understanding how colors interact with each other and affect the viewer.
