Vertical and Diagonal Planes

František Kupka

ca. 1913–14 · Oil on canvas · Modern and Contemporary Art

Born in Bohemia, Kupka was active in Paris for much of his career. He created his first abstract works in 1911, combining his interests in Cubism, Czech folk art, light, vision, and philosophy. These radical paintings were among the first purely nonrepresentational works produced in Europe. Here, rectilinear geometric forms in saturated colors interlock to suggest multiple potential applications, such as stained glass, textile design, or a folding screen.

Artist

František Kupka

Date

ca. 1913–14

Medium

Oil on canvas

Department

Modern and Contemporary Art

Credit line

Gift of Joseph H. Hazen Foundation Inc., 1971