Sol LeWitt

Sol LeWitt was an influential American artist who played a pivotal role in the development of Minimalism and Conceptual art.

Biography of Sol LeWitt

LeWitt was born in 1928, in Hartford, Connecticut.

LeWitt's art journey began when he attended art classes at the Wadsworth Atheneum. In the late 1940s, he started studying at Syracuse University. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University in 1949, Sol LeWitt embarked on a transformative journey to Europe, where he encountered Old Master paintings.

LeWitt's artistic pursuits were temporarily interrupted when he was drafted to serve in the Korean War. Notably, his duties included making posters. In 1953, Sol LeWitt relocated to the vibrant city of New York, where he established a studio in the dynamic neighborhood of the Lower East Side.

In 1955, Sol LeWitt found employment as a graphic designer in the office of renowned architect I.M. Pei. In 1960, LeWitt assumed an entry-level position as a night receptionist and clerk at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. This position provided him with a source of income and immersed him in the vibrant city art scene.

Sol LeWitt had the privilege of working alongside a talented group of individuals who would go on to make significant contributions to the art world. Among his colleagues were notable artists such as Robert Ryman, Dan Flavin, Gene Beery, and Robert Mangold. 

In 1980, Sol LeWitt decided to leave New York and relocated to Spoleto, Italy. After spending several years in Europe, LeWitt returned to the United States in the late 1980s. Seeking a serene and idyllic setting, he chose Chester, Connecticut, as his residence.

Sol LeWitt's art style

Sol LeWitt's artistic explorations led him to delve into a diverse array of subject matter, showcasing his versatility and curiosity as an artist. He ventured into different realms, including the depiction of the human figure, still life compositions, interiors, and the creation of sketched copies of Old Master paintings.

Sol LeWitt's art journey was significantly shaped by the impactful works of Jasper Johns and Eadweard Muybridge. Inspired by their artistic techniques, LeWitt began to explore new avenues in his own artistic practice, integrating relief elements and a series of moving figures into his paintings. This experimentation is evident in his notable work titled "Run" from 1961.

LeWitt's work emphasized the idea or concept behind the artwork rather than the object itself. He believed that art should be accessible to everyone and that the execution of the work was less important than the idea behind it. LeWitt often worked with simple geometric forms such as squares, circles, and lines, and his work was characterized by its precision and clarity.

LeWitt's wall drawings were often created directly on the galleries' walls or other public spaces using graphite, ink, or colored pencil. 

In 2005, Sol LeWitt embarked on a remarkable artistic series known as the 'scribble' wall drawings. This series earned its name from the unique technique, which required the draftsmen to fill in areas of the wall by scribbling with graphite. The effect was a mesmerizing interplay of lines and tones, creating a sense of depth and dimensionality.

Among the impressive works in the 'scribble' wall drawing series is Wall Drawing #1268, which can be admired at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.

Sol LeWitt's sculpture

During the early 1960s, Sol LeWitt created his renowned "structures." The term "structures" was coined by LeWitt himself to describe his three-dimensional artworks. These works often featured open, modular forms, and their conceptual underpinnings can be traced back to the influence of the cube. This shape had a profound impact on LeWitt's artistic perspective from the very beginning of his career.

In the mid-1980s, a new phase emerged in Sol LeWitt's art practice, characterized by the composition of sculptures using stacked cinder blocks. He also began to work with concrete blocks. 

Recognition of Sol LeWitt

Sol LeWitt's artistic contributions have garnered recognition and acclaim. Artworks of LeWitt are featured in esteemed museum collections worldwide, including Tate Modern in London, UK; the National Museum of Serbia in Belgrade; the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, France; the Australian National Gallery in Canberra, Australia.