Artwork
Homage to the Square IV
Homage to the Square IV is a print by Josef Albers. It dates from 1967 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Homage to the Square IV is a silkscreen print by Josef Albers, characterized by a composition of three nested squares in a palette of yellow and orange hues, exploring the interaction and perception of colors.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on the subjective effects of color relationships, demonstrating how adjacent hues influence each other's appearance, with the gradual fading of edges enhancing the illusion of inner luminosity.
Technique & Style
Executed in silkscreen, the print features smooth, flat areas of color, typical of Albers' precise style, with the subtle blending at the squares' intersections achieving a sense of depth and glow.
History & Provenance
Created in 1967, this print is part of an edition of 125, signed and numbered by the artist, and originally housed in a black portfolio box with accompanying informational materials.
Context
Homage to the Square IV relates to Albers' broader exploration of color theory, as seen in his *Midnight and Noon* suite of lithographs, and reflects his lifelong investigation into the perceptual effects of color.
Artist & collection
Artist
Josef Albers ( AL-bərz, US also AHL-, German: ; March 19, 1888 – March 25, 1976) was a German-born American artist and educator who is considered one of the most influential 20th-century art teachers in the United States.
