Untitled (from Composite Series) - Sol LeWitt

A minimalist screenprint by Sol LeWitt from his 1970 Composite Series, featuring systematic horizontal bands of hatched colour.

Sol LeWitt, a central figure in the development of Conceptual art and Minimalism, produced the Composite Series in 1970. This work reflects his interest in systematic processes and the reduction of art to its fundamental components. The composition consists of horizontal bands of colour, each filled with dense, directional hatching. By applying these marks in a controlled, repetitive manner, LeWitt removes the subjective gesture of the artist, allowing the structure of the work to dictate its final appearance. The print displays a soft, pastel palette, which contrasts with the rigid, mathematical organisation of the bands. LeWitt often utilised such series to explore the permutations of line, colour, and form. The hatching technique creates a subtle texture across the surface, inviting the viewer to observe the interaction between the individual lines and the overall colour fields. This approach avoids traditional representation, focusing instead on the physical reality of the print as an object. LeWitt famously stated that the idea becomes a machine that makes the art. This piece embodies that philosophy, as the visual outcome is a direct result of the predetermined rules established by the artist. The work is not concerned with emotional expression or narrative content. It functions as a clear demonstration of how simple, logical instructions can generate complex visual results. The balance of the horizontal segments creates a sense of order, while the variation in hue provides a gentle rhythm across the square format. This print is a representative example of LeWitt's graphic output, where the clarity of the concept remains the primary objective.