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Thomas Downing — Red Twelve
Thomas Downing — Red Twelve
Thomas Downing

Red Twelve

1965

Twelve circles in varying shades of red, burgundy, brown, and coral are arranged in a regular grid across a cream colored parallelogram field. The composition demonstrates a systematic approach to color relationships, with each circle subtly differentiated in hue and saturation while maintaining consistent scale. Created with acrylic and graphite on canvas, the work exemplifies the color field painting and hard edge abstraction movements of the 1960s, emphasizing pure chromatic interaction over representation. Downing's practice engaged with serial arrangements and optical perception, investigating how viewers apprehend color relationships within structured formats.

Medium
acrylic and graphite on canvas
Overall

Notes

Pure Edge: American Geometric Abstraction (Selected Works from MACBA Buenos Aires), Rago Auctions, 2026-05-01. Lot 108. Signed, titled, and dated to verso 'Downing 1965 - Red Twelve'.

🔨 Auction Lot

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

May 1, 2026

Estimate: $30,000$50,000

Lot 108

For Sale

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About this work

Thomas Downing, Red Twelve, 1965

Twelve circles in varying shades of red, burgundy, brown, and coral are arranged in a regular grid across a cream colored parallelogram field. The composition demonstrates a systematic approach to color relationships, with each circle subtly differentiated in hue and saturation while maintaining consistent scale. Created with acrylic and graphite on canvas, the work exemplifies the color field painting and hard edge abstraction movements of the 1960s, emphasizing pure chromatic interaction over representation. Downing's practice engaged with serial arrangements and optical perception, investigating how viewers apprehend color relationships within structured formats.

Medium
acrylic and graphite on canvas
Dimensions
overall: 141 x 327.7 cm
Year
1965
Seen at
Rago Auctions, Lambertville, United States

Related themes

Abstract Art, Modernist Painting, 1960s Art, Chromatic Studies, Circle Forms, Systematic Composition, Color Relationships, Grid Composition, Canvas, Hard Edge Abstraction, Non Representational, Serial Art, Geometric Abstraction, Minimalism Adjacent, Optical Art, Acrylic Painting, American Art, Red Tones, Color Field Painting, Monochromatic Variation

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