The artwork, titled “Untitled” and created by Al Held in 1967, falls under the Op Art movement and is characterized as abstract. This piece exemplifies the artist’s exploration of geometric abstraction, a hallmark of his oeuvre.
In the artwork, Al Held employs bold, black lines to outline and form sharp, geometric shapes against a white background. These shapes, varying in size and orientation, seem to float and intersect within the frame, creating a sense of depth and spatial complexity. The thick, deliberate brushstrokes convey a sense of authority and structure, while the use of negative space allows the viewer’s eye to navigate through the forms. The absence of color, aside from the stark contrast between black and white, accentuates the angularity and precision of the shapes, emphasizing the optical effects that are central to the Op Art movement.
