“The Eternal”

2013 | Oilpainting | 80x100cm | Collection Amsterdam UMC

Introduction

The artwork titled The Eternal, created in 2013, is an oil painting measuring 80×100 cm. Its bold, geometric design and striking use of color immediately draw the viewer into a contemplation of themes such as infinity, interconnectedness, and the tension between natural form and artificial construct. The painting’s vivid yellow background, combined with the central pink-outlined cube and green spheres, creates a dynamic interplay that invites exploration of both the visual and symbolic layers of the composition.

Visual Analysis

The composition of The Eternal revolves around a central hexagonal-cube form outlined in bright pink, containing dark green spheres, all set against a vibrant yellow background. The deliberate combination of geometric shapes, vivid colors, and minimalistic design creates a sense of both simplicity and complexity.

Central Geometric Structure

The central element—a hexagonal cube outlined in pink—stands out sharply against the yellow background. This geometric figure appears to float within the space, giving a sense of three-dimensionality. The hexagonal shape, with its connotations of structure and stability, contrasts with the surreal color choices, creating a visual dichotomy. The pink outline of the cube, which is not traditionally used to represent such forms, lends the work an element of playful abstraction.

The use of the hexagonal cube form evokes a sense of endlessness and continuity, suggesting both the tangible and intangible aspects of existence. The geometrical approach could be interpreted as a reference to sacred geometry, which often symbolizes the interconnectedness of all life and the universe.

Green Spheres

Inside the hexagonal cube, six dark green spheres are strategically placed, creating a focal point within the central geometric figure. The spheres, with their organic form, juxtapose the rigid, geometric lines of the cube. The green color evokes a sense of nature, growth, and renewal, suggesting the coexistence of the natural within the artificial or structured.

The placement of these spheres within a hexagonal frame also emphasizes the harmony and balance of natural forms. The interplay between geometric containment and organic elements adds a layer of depth, prompting reflections on the boundaries imposed on natural growth and the resilience of organic forms within constructed spaces.

Color Dynamics

The background of the painting is a vivid, almost overwhelming yellow, which acts as a stark contrast to the darker and cooler colors of the central elements. This choice of color creates a strong visual impact, evoking feelings of energy, vibrancy, and warmth. The bright yellow can be interpreted as a representation of enlightenment, energy, or even a celestial force.

The juxtaposition of yellow and green, along with the pink lines of the cube, creates a palette that feels both harmonious and jarring. The colors seem to challenge each other, much like the thematic contrasts present within the composition—between the natural and artificial, the finite and the infinite.

Historical Context

The use of geometry in art has a deep and varied history, spanning from the sacred geometry of the Renaissance to the explorations of modern abstract movements such as Suprematism and Constructivism. The Eternal draws upon this tradition, using the hexagon and cube as central motifs to convey ideas of harmony, structure, and infinity. These shapes, often found in nature, have also been used throughout art history to represent cosmic order and the underlying structure of reality.

The choice to depict these geometric forms in vibrant, unconventional colors reflects a distinctly modern sensibility, reminiscent of Minimalism and Pop Art. Artists like Josef Albers and Ellsworth Kelly have employed similar color fields and simple geometric forms to explore the relationship between shape, color, and perception. In The Eternal, the bright pink outline and intense yellow backdrop modernize these classical geometric motifs, creating a visual language that feels fresh and contemporary.

Modern Context and Contemporary Interpretation

In a contemporary context, The Eternal can be seen as an exploration of the interplay between the artificial and the organic. The hexagonal cube, with its precise lines and bright color, represents human intervention—an artificial imposition of order on the natural world. The green spheres within the cube suggest that nature persists and adapts, even within human-made structures.

The title, The Eternal, evokes themes of timelessness, the infinite, and the cyclical nature of existence. The geometric shapes imply a kind of permanence or unchanging quality, while the organic green spheres speak to growth and transformation. This duality prompts the viewer to consider the balance between constancy and change, a theme that resonates strongly in an era marked by rapid technological advancements and environmental concerns.

The use of intense colors—particularly the yellow background—also connects the painting to contemporary visual culture, where hyper-saturated imagery is pervasive. The almost unnatural brightness of the yellow could be a commentary on the artificial nature of modern life, suggesting a world that is both vividly alive and fundamentally constructed. The painting thus becomes a meditation on the nature of existence in a world where the boundaries between the organic and the artificial are increasingly blurred.

Final Thoughts

The Eternal is a thought-provoking painting that challenges the viewer to consider themes of balance, infinity, and the relationship between natural and constructed forms. Through its bold use of color, geometric composition, and symbolic elements, the work explores the interconnectedness of all things, suggesting that even in our most artificial constructs, nature is present, persisting and adapting.

The painting’s juxtaposition of vibrant colors and geometric forms invites contemplation of how we perceive and interact with the world around us. By using a traditional medium like oil paint to depict these contemporary themes, the artist bridges the gap between classical techniques and modern ideas, creating a work that is both timeless and timely. The Eternal stands as a reminder of the enduring power of geometric forms and vivid color to communicate complex, universal themes that resonate across time and culture.