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Karl Benjamin — #14
Karl Benjamin — #14
Karl Benjamin — #14
Karl Benjamin

#14

1965

This geometric composition presents a carefully balanced arrangement of horizontal rectangular forms in a limited palette of deep maroon, light gray, and warm ochre. The nested rectangles create a rhythmic pattern of color and space, with the darker bands framing and alternating with lighter central zones, all contained within a substantial ochre border. The work exemplifies hard edge abstraction and color field painting practices of the 1960s, demonstrating Benjamin's systematic approach to composition through pure chromatic and formal relationships. The precise execution and flat application of oil paint emphasize the materiality of color itself rather than representational content. This numbered work reflects the artist's methodical exploration of visual harmony through elementary geometric means.

Medium
oil on canvas
Overall

Notes

Pure Edge: American Geometric Abstraction (Selected Works from MACBA Buenos Aires), Rago Auctions, 2026-05-01. Lot 107. Signed and dated to upper right 'KB 65'.

🔨 Auction Lot

Pure Edge: American Geometric Abstraction (Selected Works from MACBA Buenos Aires)

May 1, 2026

Estimate: $15,000$25,000

Lot 107

For Sale

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About this work

Karl Benjamin, #14, 1965

This geometric composition presents a carefully balanced arrangement of horizontal rectangular forms in a limited palette of deep maroon, light gray, and warm ochre. The nested rectangles create a rhythmic pattern of color and space, with the darker bands framing and alternating with lighter central zones, all contained within a substantial ochre border. The work exemplifies hard edge abstraction and color field painting practices of the 1960s, demonstrating Benjamin's systematic approach to composition through pure chromatic and formal relationships. The precise execution and flat application of oil paint emphasize the materiality of color itself rather than representational content. This numbered work reflects the artist's methodical exploration of visual harmony through elementary geometric means.

Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
overall: 106.7 x 107 cm
Year
1965
Seen at
Rago Auctions, Lambertville, United States

Related themes

Ochre, Rectangles, Geometric Forms, Chromatic Harmony, Post Painterly Abstraction, Color Relationships, Oil On Canvas, American Abstract, Hard Edge Abstraction, Maroon, Color Field, Systematic Art, Nested Forms, Flat Color, Formal Composition, Abstract, 1960s, Horizontal Composition, Minimalism, Gray

More works by Karl Benjamin

Collected by

Sharrissa Iqbal, Arthur Cohen, Alex Capecelatro