Artwork Description

Title: Cross Knots 1
Artist: Reiner Kallhardt
Date: 2016
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 39.4 x 39.4 in (100 x 100 cm) (each canvas)

1. Artwork Identification
Cross Knots 1 is a vibrant and kaleidoscopic ensemble of four canvases forming a unified geometric composition. Each panel features a nested sequence of stepped, angular color bands radiating from a central void. The symmetry and chromatic intensity suggest both movement and stasis, drawing the eye inward toward the implied center while activating the entire visual field.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
This work exemplifies Kallhardt’s commitment to Concrete Art and optical abstraction, channeling influences from Josef Albers’ color theories and the rhythmic modularity of Victor Vasarely. The Title: Cross Knots evokes the visual and conceptual interweaving of forms—a grid-like logic intertwined with chromatic vitality. Kallhardt’s distinctive use of saturated primaries and secondaries arranged in architectural layers underlines his mastery of systematic color composition.

3. Historical Context
Created in 2016, this series continues Kallhardt’s exploration of modular seriality and color structure. It reflects the artist’s mature phase, in which visual logic becomes increasingly expressive without sacrificing formal discipline. The piece was executed in the context of a broader contemporary resurgence of interest in Op Art and geometric minimalism.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
All four canvases are in very good condition. The painted surfaces are pristine, with no signs of pigment loss, warping, or abrasion. The colors remain vivid and well-preserved, with sharply delineated edges that highlight the mathematical precision of the design.

6. Artistic Significance
Cross Knots 1 is a compelling meditation on optical rhythm and spatial interplay. Kallhardt’s disciplined structure is animated by his confident use of color, demonstrating his ability to imbue static geometry with visual tension and movement. As a late work in his prolific career, this series represents a culminating expression of Kallhardt’s formal rigor and creative vibrancy, making it a significant addition to the canon of European geometric abstraction.