Central Density

Werner Drewes, Central Density, 1973, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1975.116
Werner Drewes, Central Density, 1973, oil on canvas, 39 3433 34 in. (10185.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1975.116

Artwork Details

Title
Central Density
Date
1973
Dimensions
39 3433 34 in. (10185.8 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract — geometric
Object Number
1975.116

Artwork Description

Werner Drewes experimented with printmaking his entire life, but considered himself primarily a painter. In Central Density the diagonal lines create a sense of depth, leading from the edges of the canvas to a converging point in the center. The composition evokes mirrors placed at different angles, reflecting and refracting chunks of colored light. It is easy to imagine getting lost in this maze of color, because we cannot tell what is "real" and what is a reflection.

Works by this artist (626 items)

Werner Drewes, Central Density, 1973, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1975.116
Central Density
Date1973
oil on canvas
On view
Werner Drewes, Pointed Brown and Floating Circles, 1933, oil, pen and ink, and pencil on wood panel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Patricia and Phillip Frost, 1986.92.17
Pointed Brown and Floating Circles
Date1933
oil, pen and ink, and pencil on wood panel
On view
Werner Drewes, Suspended Forms, woodcut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1977.21.11
Suspended Forms
woodcut
Not on view
Werner Drewes, Summer Bouquet (no. 242), color woodcut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1968.9.81
Summer Bouquet (no. 242)
color woodcut
Not on view

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