Hans Hofmann's Legacy

"Art cannot result from sophisticated, frivolous, or superficial effects." - Hans Hoffman

Untitled 

July 20, 1942. Wax crayon on paper

14x17 inches

Collection Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Gift, Janet C. Hauck in loving memory of Alicia Guggenheim and Fred Hauck, 1992

http://www.hanshofmann.org/gallery/painting/6

 In the midst of all of Hoffman's work I came across this piece which made me stop and wonder. For some reason I have recently had a reconnection with wax crayons and to find this piece done with crayons compared to oil on canvas really stuck with me. Something that has always bugged me about people that I've known in my art classes is that certain people have natural ability but then do not use it with emotion or intent which makes their work seem vacant. The quote really speaks to this, in that art cannot come from talent alone. I think it is obvious that Hans Hoffman has talent, and can be sophisticated, but this piece is not as sophisticated as others. But I think this piece speaks to childhood, and also memories of the past. There are still elements sure as the barn and the silo that make this picture have meaning. Unfortunately it does not have a title and the interpretation is up to the viewer. This stands up to Hoffman's saying that "Painters must speak through paint, not through words." I think that we can see that  Hoffman is trying to convey some sort of nastolgia in this piece. 

This was one of the best figure drawings that I had done when this assignment was due. I had planned on using this when it was assigned.  I have choosen Hans Hofmann's quote: "The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak." The goal of this exercise was to include the background elements as well as the figure. I can see that this is necessary in order to make the piece understandable. But I also did not want to take away from the figure, so not too much is added, only enough to understand what is going on.