“Circle In and Out of a Polygon 2” is an abstract artwork created by the artist Robert Mangold in 1973. This piece is a manifestation of Minimalism, a movement characterized by its simplified, geometric forms and a focus on the intrinsic properties of the materials used. The artwork is crafted with acrylic and graphite on canvas, measuring 182 by 183 centimeters. Currently, it is housed at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum located in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork presents a geometric composition where a large circle is inscribed within the boundaries of what appears to be a polygon that breaks beyond the conventional rectangular canvas. This intersection creates a dynamic tension between the shapes. The canvas is predominantly painted in a soft, monochromatic hue, echoing the Minimalist emphasis on color reduction and the interplay between form and space. The precise use of graphite to delineate the edges of the geometric shapes adds a subtle contrast and definition to the otherwise smooth and uniform surface. Through its restrained visual language, the artwork invites contemplation on the relationship between the circle and the polygon and challenges traditional perceptions of space and form within the two-dimensional plane.
