“Composition in gray (Rag Time)”, created in 1919 by Theo van Doesburg, is an abstract artwork that belongs to the Neoplasticism art movement. Painted with oil on canvas, this piece is housed in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy.
The artwork features an intricate composition of rectangular shapes arranged in a grid-like pattern. The grayscale palette ranges from light to dark shades, creating a visually engaging interplay of geometric forms and tonal contrasts. The overall aesthetic of the piece is harmonious yet dynamic, embodying the principles of Neoplasticism, which emphasize a reduction to the essentials of form and color. This structured yet fluid arrangement of forms, devoid of any representational content, draws the viewer into a contemplative exploration of balance, rhythm, and harmony.
