Agnes Martin (1912–2004)

Published to accompany the exhibition 'Agnes Martin: Paintings and Works on Paper, 1960-1989' at the Kunstmuseum Winterthur, January 19 to March 15, 1992; Original English text followed by German translation; Includes eight reproductions of the artist work

Agnes Martin's abstract works adhere to no catalogue of rules but appear instead as contemplative, intuitive signs. Her "floating abstractions," in which lines and free bands of color emerge almost imperceptibly, can be reproduced only with show more difficulty. Her writings, on the other hand--although certainly not intended as programmatic statements--offer valuable clarity regarding her own works and poetic insight about art in general. Since its original publication in 1991, this volume of Martin's writings has been a fundamental document for libraries of artists, collectors, and critics. Rather than identifying herself with her Minimalist peers, Martin has aligned herself with the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Chinese, asserting that "the function of art work is . . . the renewal of memories of moments of perfection." In combination with illustrations of her works, these texts--including lectures, stories recorded by critic Ann Wilson, passages ostensibly arranged in associative sequences, and "fragmentary ideas"--form an eloquent artist's statement by the creator of "silent paintings."(English and German Edition) show less

Agnes Martin's career spanned over seven decades. Though a major influence on Minimalist painters, Martin saw her own work, more closely related to Abstract Expressionism, her paintings being 'meditations on innocence, beauty, happiness and love.' More than 130 of these works can be found in this book. Agnes Martin: Paintings, Writings, Remembrances is the first and only complete career retrospective publication of the visionary painter. This important and beautiful book brings together 130 show more of Martin's paintings and drawings, with her previously unpublished writings and lecture notes, which vividly illuminate her art. Letters and facsimiles are reprinted in Martin's own hand, and cut to notebook size, adding an element of intimacy for the reader. With the Pace Gallery founder, Arne Glimcher's illuminating introduction, his personal remembrances of visits to Martin at her studio, and their correspondence throughout her career, reveal much about the artist's life and work. show less

The Islands--a 1979 group of 12 identically large square paintings--is a body of work especially suitable for gaining insight into the modalities of the visual in Agnes Martin's work. An element that is common to all the canvases is the matte white color that absorbs the surrounding light but only partially radiates it back, as well as the structure of fine horizontal lines drawn in pencil. The reproductions of Martin's work in this book are of the highest quality, especially in light of the show more fact that her pictures are generally not ideal for reproduction, as, according to the artist, they are light and luminous and deal with fusion and formlessness, i.e., the dissolution of form. In creating this work, Martin, in a certain sense, arrives almost to the point of borderline visibility. show less

Agnes Martin’s (1912-2004) career spanned over seven decades. She was one of the preeminent painters of the twentieth century, whose work has had a significant influence both on artists of her own time and for subsequent generations. A contemporary of the Abstract Expressionists though often identified with Minimalism, Martin was one of the few women artists who came to prominence in the predominately masculine art world of the late 1950s and 1960s.

Martin is perhaps most recognised for her show more evocative paintings marked out in subtle pencil lines and pale colour washes. Although restrained, her style was underpinned by her deep conviction in the emotive and expressive power of art.

"Agnes Martin – Paintings and Drawings | Schilderijen en Tekeningen | Peintures et Dessins 1974-1990" comprises a catalogue with numerous colour and b & w illustrations, writings and poems by the artist, a Jawlensky Award supplement and a suite of 10 unsigned full-page prints delicately printed on translucent vellum sheets: An important, elegant and beautiful publication on a major minimalist. show less