Artwork Description

Title: Double Symmetry
Artist: Reiner Kallhardt
Date: 2003
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 63.8 x 63.8 in (162 x 162 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Double Symmetry is a striking geometric abstraction composed of systematically arranged squares and rectangles in a palette of ochre, lavender, ivory, and deep plum. The grid-based design employs proportional logic and rhythmic variation to create a visually engaging dialogue between order and complexity.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
The work reflects the influence of concrete art and color theory, with visual affinities to Josef Albers and Max Bill. Kallhardt's precision in color relationships and spatial arrangement is rooted in the Bauhaus and European Constructivist traditions. Double Symmetry emphasizes clarity, mathematical structure, and aesthetic balance while allowing subtle optical fluctuations through hue modulation and shape density.

3. Historical Context
Created in 2003, Double Symmetry embodies a continuation of mid-century abstraction into the 21st century, asserting the relevance of geometric painting in contemporary visual discourse. As digital systems and algorithms increasingly shape human experience, Kallhardt's work can be read as a meditation on coded beauty and visual logic in an analog medium.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The painting is in very good condition. The surface shows no signs of damage or restoration, with the oil pigments maintaining their vibrancy and saturation. The canvas is taut and well-preserved, mounted on its original stretcher.

6. Artistic Significance
Reiner Kallhardt, born in Germany in 1933, has developed a practice that bridges post-war European abstraction and contemporary minimalism. Double Symmetry exemplifies his mastery of color modulation, visual harmony, and modular composition. It stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of formal abstraction and its capacity to communicate through order, rhythm, and spatial tension.