Opus 21H - Gérard Schneider

This abstract expressionist work by Gérard Schneider, titled 'Opus 21H', features bold brushstrokes and contrasting colours, typical of the Tachisme movement. The dynamic composition creates a sense of movement and tension.

Gérard Schneider (1896-1986) was a French abstract expressionist painter, often associated with Tachisme, a European parallel to American abstract expressionism. His work is characterised by spontaneous, gestural brushstrokes and a focus on the act of painting itself. He moved away from representational art after being influenced by the works of artists like Kandinsky and Mondrian. Schneider's paintings often feature bold colours and dynamic compositions, reflecting an interest in the emotional and expressive potential of abstract forms. 'Opus 21H' exemplifies Schneider's style with its energetic composition and contrasting colours. The painting features broad, sweeping strokes of white paint that dominate the upper right portion of the canvas. These white forms are juxtaposed against a vivid yellow background and a patch of blue in the lower left. A vertical red shape, outlined in black, adds another element of contrast. The overall effect is one of movement and tension, as the various elements seem to push and pull against each other. The visible brushstrokes and drips of paint further emphasise the artist's process and the physicality of the medium.