The artwork, titled “Sous Zero,” was created in 1979 by Antoni Tàpies, a notable figure in the Art Informel movement. Exemplifying the abstract genre, the piece showcases Tàpies’s characteristic preoccupation with material, surface, and texture, often manifesting an enigmatic and contemplative visual language.
In “Sous Zero,” the artist employs a dark and rich color palette, dominated by deep blacks and subtle hints of other hues. The composition is punctuated by abstract forms and lines, which seem to float against an intensely somber background. These elements appear to be scratched or inscribed onto the surface, imparting a sense of both rawness and mystery. The occasional use of lighter tones, such as the white, gestural mark resembling an ‘O’ and the subtle numeric imagery interspersed within the composition, injects an additional layer of intrigue and complexity. The artwork’s textured appearance and indistinct forms invite viewers to engage in a deeper reflection on materiality and the metaphysical aspects of human experience.
