Collections – Geometric Constructivist Art

With the invention of photography and the slow end of commissioned portraits in the early 20th century, purely representational art became less and less interesting. Artists explored new terrains and experimented with visual impressions of reality as well as with completely abstract structured compositions. One of the artistic directions which started in those days was that of geometric constructivist art. Using mainly right-angled shapes and only a few clear basic colors, artists endeavored to develop appealing and unique compositions which were, in spite of the strong suppression of their own personality, more than just decorative. This narrow path became a way of life for several outstanding artists whose sole aim was to reach an ever greater degree of perfection.    

The main feature of geometric constructivist art is that makes only very few demands on the viewer. It is only by intensive contemplation of the composition that one can discover the intended path of one’s eyes. A very personal experience involving perception as well as feeling develops between the viewer and the picture. Its superficial simplicity provoking the spontaneous response: “I can do that too!” is an illusion, soon dispelled by an actual try which will reveal the true art within this art form. Composition, vision and ability undergo a seldom found symbiosis here which will withstand all attempts by the viewer to see some realistic interpretation. Geometric constructivist art is enduring and timeless in its nearly mathematical clarity.

The Arithmeum presents different exhibitions of geometric constructivist art from time to time and possesses around 1000 paintings and over 3000 graphics, making it one of the largest collections of this art form in the German speaking countries.