Nothing to see here... except $1.5 million: The blank canvas auction
Robert Ryman will be up for auction in Berlin this week, with a value estimated at more than $1.5 million. The 1970 work, titled General 52" x 52", will be available for bidding at the Ketterer Kunst auction house on December 6 and 7. At first glance, the piece may appear to be a simple white canvas, but it is far from ordinary. The artwork, painted using white enamel and enamelac paints—materials generally used for metal surfaces—invites viewers to question the very essence of art.
Ryman, who passed away in 2019, was a self-taught artist known for his use of stark white in his works. His minimalist pieces often sparked debate, challenging audiences to rethink traditional notions of what constitutes art. This piece, like many of Ryman’s works, is characterised by its simplicity but demands deeper reflection, highlighting the artist’s meticulous approach to materials and form.
Delicate Materiality Adds Value and Complexity
Despite its unassuming appearance, Ryman’s General 52" x 52" is anything but simple. The white enamel used on the canvas is particularly sensitive, and the artwork’s delicate surface cannot be transported for viewing before the auction. Ketterer Kunst explained that even the smallest imperfection could significantly reduce its value. «The material is very sensitive and the smallest traces in the flawless surface would immediately reduce the value of the work significantly,» said the auction house in a statement. «That’s why we are not sending it on a journey.»
Viewer Engagement and the Essence of
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