Artwork Description

Title: Chromatische Kreuze 16 oh/vd1
Artist: Reiner Kallhardt
Date: 2013
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 47.2 x 47.2 in (120 x 120 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Reiner Kallhardt’s Chromatische Kreuze 16 oh/vd1 is a captivating exploration of structural rigor and chromatic dialogue. Comprising a grid of vertical and horizontal bands framed by squares, the painting is rendered in a striking palette of ochre yellow, violet, and deep black. The methodical arrangement and repetition of forms generate a rhythm across the canvas, producing a rich interplay of luminosity and density that characterizes Kallhardt’s signature visual logic.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
This painting is a testament to the artist’s engagement with Concrete Art and the broader legacy of post-war geometric abstraction. Echoes of Josef Albers’ chromatic studies and Max Bill’s system-based compositions are evident, yet Kallhardt’s chromatic sophistication and dynamic layering distinguish his practice. The Title:’s use of color coding—“oh” (ochre), “vd” (violet dunkel)—underscores his analytical approach to color juxtaposition and harmony.

3. Historical Context
Executed in 2013, Chromatische Kreuze 16 oh/vd1 is part of Kallhardt’s late-career investigations into seriality and chromatic structure. It reflects the ongoing relevance of Constructivist ideals in contemporary painting, particularly in a post-digital context where analog precision reasserts itself as an artistic counterbalance. The work contributes to a continued dialogue between formalist abstraction and perceptual experience in the early 21st century.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
This painting is in very good condition. The surface is clean and stable, with no visible craquelure, pigment loss, or prior restoration. The canvas is well-stretched, and the colors remain vibrant and true to the artist’s intention.

6. Artistic Significance
Chromatische Kreuze 16 oh/vd1 holds an important place in Kallhardt’s sustained exploration of visual rhythm and color perception. Its meticulous structure and resonant palette embody the artist’s philosophical and aesthetic precision. Collectors and institutions alike will recognize this work not only for its compositional refinement but also for its thoughtful contribution to the lineage of systematic and color-based abstraction.