A 1935 geometric abstraction by Balcomb Greene, featuring a balanced arrangement of overlapping shapes in black, red, and neutral tones.

This work, dated 1935, represents an early phase in the career of Balcomb Greene, a figure associated with the American Abstract Artists group. During this period, Greene experimented with the formal properties of non-representational art, moving away from figurative subjects to explore the interaction of shape, colour, and texture. The composition relies on a series of overlapping planes, utilising a palette of black, red, and neutral tones to create a sense of spatial tension. The construction of the piece involves the layering of paper elements, which introduces a tactile quality to the surface. The geometric forms, including circles and angular segments, are arranged to suggest movement across the picture plane. By limiting the colour range, Greene directs the viewer to the structural relationships between the forms. The presence of the date and numbering in the lower corner indicates the artist's systematic approach to his early output, treating each work as a specific investigation into abstract principles. Greene's work from the 1930s reflects the influence of European modernism, particularly the developments in synthetic cubism and constructivism. He sought to create a visual language that functioned independently of external reality. This piece demonstrates his interest in the balance between positive and negative space, a concern that would continue to occupy him throughout his career. The use of collage allows for sharp edges and distinct boundaries between the colours, contrasting with the more atmospheric, painterly style he adopted in later decades. As a museum-grade print, this reproduction captures the paper textures and the precise application of pigment, offering a clear view of the artist's early formal experiments.