Abstraction: Paris 1949

Fontaine had joined the mainstream of European art when he had been accepted by the famous Paris Salon des Realites Nouvelles of 1949.  Here the best work in Europe was assembled. The forms in this composition are defined, but not concrete. He is concerned with the relation of geometrical form in two dimensional space, thus achieving the painting's purity from the traditional illusionist three dimensional space. Also he was excited about the idea of imagined form beyond the picture plane; form, partially shown in the painting, leaving the spectator to finish the form not shown. The limits of the picture frame were eliminated which allowed the forms to vibrate free in space which adds a fourth dimension. The illusion of vibration was achieved by the directional force of the lines or palate. The colors are subdued but harmonious.  next >>