Painting - "Three Whites" - No.2 (of Six)
Painting - "Three Whites" - No.2 (of Six)
This work dates from a time when Dannatt experimented with softer blocks of paint than in the earlier, hard-edged and geometric structures. In this work from the 'Three Whites' series of six paintings, Dannatt explored the limits of abstract art and the essence of colour and mark-making, much as celebrated predecessors such as Yves Klein, Ad Reinhardt and Kasimir Malevich had done. Dannatt was passionate about nature and particularly the Dorset landscape.
Although it may be unintentional, it is possible to interpret the present work as a snow-bound landscape, with the upper layer in oils representing the sky, the middle, perhaps gouache, layer indicating distant hills, and the lower, perhaps acrylic layer, closer ground. On close inspection, and under differing light conditions, the subtle colour variations in the three whites are complex and striking.
Importantly, the work is in its original mount and frame, and its presentation as specified by Dannatt, allowing the subtle composition of whites the proportions and space to set it off as he intended.
Dimensions:
c.1970
Mixed media (probably oil paint and gouache) on paper
Signed, titled, numbered 184 (in Dannatt's sequential numbering from the 1960s onwards), with an address label and medium on backboard. Also inscribed "THORNLEY", "S.M.T." and, by the artist, 184, no.2. The work is presented in its original mount and frame.
Thornley?
In original mount and frame, with resultant time-wear
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