Basil Ivan Rákóczi (1908-1979)
Un Vase Geometrique (1949)
Oil on canvas, 45 x 54cm (17¾ x 21¼'')
Signed

Rakoczi wrote in his journal in early May 1949: Now we have the question of...

Basil Ivan Rákóczi (1908-1979)
Un Vase Geometrique (1949)
Oil on canvas, 45 x 54cm (17¾ x 21¼'')
Signed

Rakoczi wrote in his journal in early May 1949: Now we have the question of imagination and subject. The purist takes his subject, his point of departure from nature and builds a still life. He abstracts, distorts and dissects, exploring the realms of fantasy, dream and unconscious. He arrives at his symbol, rendered in a personal way. My painting catches personal subjects to create individual dream worlds. I touch hands with the child drawing his projections, seeing within my eye. This has led to the creation of wooks, of ganymedes, of animated objects.

 

When an artist has finished painting an object or symbol, he fills it with added dots or flowers or zigzags. This satisfies a basic need. Decoration is a combination of pattern and texture with more colour added. It is an exuberance of creativity.

 

Un Vase Geometrique was painted within days. At the time he was living in Menton in a small house, le Nid. Very poor, he would soon have to give up paying rent and rely on friends for spare beds, a situation that would last for some years. And yet, during this time, his painting was rich and exuberant and he pushed himself creatively with new ideas and techniques.

 

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