Variant/Adobe - Josef Albers

A study in geometric abstraction and colour theory, this piece from the Variant/Adobe series explores the interaction of light and form.

The Variant/Adobe series represents a significant period in the career of Josef Albers, following his relocation to the United States. These works emerged from his observations of Mexican architecture, specifically the earthen structures found in the region. Albers sought to capture the interplay of light and shadow on these surfaces through the application of flat, geometric colour fields.

In this composition, the viewer encounters a series of nested rectangles. The arrangement suggests an architectural opening or a doorway, yet the forms remain strictly non-representational. Albers utilised a precise, methodical approach to paint application, often leaving the edges of his colour blocks slightly visible to reveal the underlying structure of the work. The palette is carefully selected to explore the phenomenon of colour interaction, where adjacent hues shift in perception based on their proximity to one another.

Unlike his later Homage to the Square series, which utilised a rigid, repetitive format, the Variant/Adobe works allow for greater variation in the proportions and placement of the internal rectangles. This flexibility creates a sense of spatial depth despite the two-dimensional nature of the medium. The work functions as a study in perception, inviting the viewer to consider how colour relationships alter the appearance of form and space. By stripping away narrative elements, Albers directs attention to the physical properties of the paint and the psychological impact of chromatic contrast. This print captures the subtle nuances of the original surface, maintaining the integrity of the artist's exploration into the mechanics of human vision.