Ilya Bolotowsky (July 1, 1907 - 1981): Architectural Variation, 1949 - oil on canvas (Smithsonian)
“Architecture and art should be very much united.” Bolotowsky, interviewed by Svendsen and Poser, Ilya Bolotowsky, 1974
“The order and regularity of buildings and bridges inspired Ilya Bolotowsky to compose abstract paintings from different colored rectangles. He believed that colors created tension on the surface of the canvas by “pulling back and forth,” and the large white rectangle of Architectural Variation creates an anchor for the vibrant blocks, some of which appear closer to us than others. Bolotowsky used only vertical and horizontal lines, feeling that diagonal lines created too much depth within the image. He worked intuitively, dividing the canvas into different proportions and then allowing each section to “dictate” what color it should be.” (Bolotowsky, interviewed by Svendsen and Poser, Ilya Bolotowsky, 1974)
