Albers, Josef | Astatic (Danilowitz 116), 1944 — available on Composition Gallery

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Woodcut on Japanese nacre kozo paper. Signed in pencil and dated 44 (lower right). Titled Astatic and numbered (lower left). Published by the artist. Image: 33.7 × 22.9 cm. Paper: 44.5 × 28.3 cm.

Josef Albers’ Astatic (Danilowitz 116) (1944) is a woodcut on Japanese nacre kozo paper that explores geometric precision and optical tension. A chain-like formation of angular, faceted shapes appears to hover against a richly textured, woodgrain background, creating a dynamic interplay between figure and ground. The stark contrast between the crisp white forms and the dark surface enhances a sense of movement and instability, despite the composition’s careful balance. Published by the artist and produced in a limited edition, the work reflects Albers’ early investigations into perception, structure, and visual rhythm.

Josef Albers (Germany/USA, 1888–1976) was a groundbreaking artist, designer, and educator central to the Bauhaus movement and modern art. Known for his Homage to the Square series, he explored color theory and perception. Albers’ teachings and writings, like Interaction of Color, have profoundly influenced contemporary art and design education.

Josef Albers

Astatic (Danilowitz 116), 1944

Name: Astatic (Danilowitz 116), 1944
SKU: 16801
Price: 10200.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Form

Limited Edition Print

Limited Edition PrintA limited edition print is one of a number of prints made at the same time from one printmaking plate. A fixed number are made and signed by the artist, indicating the printing order, using the format 1/10, meaning first of ten prints.

Medium

Woodcut

WoodcutWoodcut is a printing technique where an image is carved into the surface of a woodblock using gouges, with the remaining flat surface holding the ink for printing. The areas cut away by the artist do not carry ink, while the uncut areas do, producing the desired print. The carving follows the wood's grain, unlike wood engraving, where the block is cut across the end-grain. Ink is applied to the surface with a roller, ensuring only the flat, uncarved areas receive ink, leaving the recessed, non-printing areas clean.

Edition

Edition of 35

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●Inventory 16801

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Limited Edition Print

Limited Edition Print

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Abstraction is real, probably more real than nature.
- Josef Albers

Often cited as one of the founders of minimalist and conceptual art, Josef Albers is widely acclaimed for his theoretical teachings on art and his interplay between shape and colour. Among his most recognised works, Homage to the Square is a series which spanned across the 50’s and the 60’s, and features a range of rigid, geometric productions applied to canvas, all of which were offset by whichever colour palette he had chosen to adopt – the combination of the geometry and colour creates various optical effects, for which Albers has become renowned. Albers has stated ‘abstraction is real, probably more real than nature’ - his work is an attempt to portray this philosophy, and he challenges the viewer to analyse their own perspective with each piece; Structural Constellations is perhaps is most celebrated work of this kind, a subtle piece composed of simple lines that combine to create illusory forms. (Artist website)

Artwork by John Baldessari

What is conceptual art?

Sometimes referred to as Conceptualism, this is an art form where the idea(s) or concept(s) behind the work take precedence over material concerns and traditional aesthetics. Many conceptual artworks can be created by anyone simply by following written instructions. The concept or idea is the most essential aspect of the artwork.

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Josef Albers

Astatic (Danilowitz 116), 1944

44.5 x 28.3 cm

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Josef Albers