Untitled (35-4) - Balcomb Greene

A 1935 geometric abstraction by Balcomb Greene, featuring a balanced arrangement of ochre and grey planes.

Balcomb Greene was a central figure in the development of American geometric abstraction during the 1930s. This work, dated 1935, reflects the artist's early engagement with the principles of non-objective art. The composition is structured around a series of intersecting planes and curved forms, which create a sense of spatial tension without relying on representational imagery. Greene employs a restricted palette of ochre, slate grey, and white. These muted tones allow the viewer to focus on the interplay of geometric shapes and the flat application of paint. The vertical axis acts as a stabilising force, anchoring the more fluid, organic curves that occupy the left and right sections of the board. The work demonstrates the influence of European modernism, particularly the synthetic cubist approach to space and form, which Greene adapted to suit his own exploration of pure abstraction. Unlike his later, more atmospheric and figurative works, this piece is defined by its clarity and precision. The edges of the shapes are distinct, and the absence of texture emphasises the two-dimensional nature of the surface. By stripping away narrative content, Greene invites an examination of the formal relationships between colour, line, and shape. This print captures the subtle variations in paint application and the specific tonal qualities of the original board, offering a clear view of the artist's early technical approach to abstract construction.