Italian Journey
Artist
Harry Nadler
(American, 1930 - 1990)
Date1982
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions30 × 68 in. (76.2 × 172.7 cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Object numberUAC2789
DescriptionItalian Journey depicts a geometric image, with a prominent X-shape quartering the image and intersecting with the many other straight lines that crisscross across the surface. Color here, as the other major characteristic of the piece besides the lines, fills in the spaces with dull greens and pinks. There is a sense of symmetry and balance to the piece even though the lines do not show a literal symmetry, this is helped by the repeating of colors on the left and right and the exactness of the fuzzy lines between each block of pigment. Through the means of this balance and color, there is a sense of the transcendental experience that Nadler sought after in later works such as this one.Harry Nadler (1930-1990) was an artist who worked in New York in his early life as well as New Mexico later on. Coming into the New York art scene after the abstract expressionists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. However, he developed his own interest in the natural world and depicted it in a similar style to Paul Cezanne. In New Mexico he painted until the end of his life trying to capture the essence of the transcendental aspects of nature and light.
Written by Alex Heath
