Hans Hofmann (1880-1966) Blue in Blue, 1954 Oil on canvas 50 x 40 inches (127 x 101.6 cm) Signed and dated lower right: hans hofmann '54 Signed, titled, and dated on the reverse: Blue in Blue / 1954 / hans hofmann Property from the Estate of Mrs. Henry Ford II PROVENANCE: The artist; Bartlett H. Hayes, Andover, Massachusetts, gift from the above, 1954; Christie's, New York, November 17, 1977, lot 10; Mr. Henry Ford II, London and Palm Beach, Florida; By descent from the above. EXHIBITED: Kootz Gallery, New York, "Tenth Anniversary Festival: Hofmann, New Paintings," November 15-December 11, 1954. LITERATURE: S. Hunter, Hans Hofmann, New York, 1963, pl. 53 illustrated; S. Villiger, ed., Hans Hofmann, Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings, vol. III, London, 2014, p. 74, no. P958 illustrated. Hans Hofmann is known as one of the key figures in Abstract Expressionism, both as an artist and a teacher. He balanced creating art with teaching until he closed the Hans Hofmann School of Fine Arts in 1956, which allowed him to focus solely on painting. Hofmann developed a unique approach to color theory and spatial composition, which he called "push and pull." Blue in Blue (1954), is an exemplary work from Hans Hofmann's celebrated exploration of the dynamic interplay of color and form. In this piece, Hofmann's mastery of these concepts is evident as he layers shades of blue alongside contrasting hues and shapes, creating a sense of depth, movement, and visual tension that energizes the canvas. In his works, Hofmann often used thick, expressive brushstrokes and vivid blocks of color, creating dynamic compositions that explore the tension between form and space. His style evolved toward geometric abstraction, with paintings often composed of stacked rectangles or organic shapes that showcase the profound impact he had on American abstract art. Hofmann's legacy endures not only through his vibrant paintings but also through the generations of artists he mentored and inspired. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice