1928, Hartford U.S.A. - 2007, Chester U.S.A.
Since the 1960s, the American Sol LeWitt has been one of the most influential concept artists of his generation whose work is still up-to-date today. LeWitt’s aim is to design a basic ‘grammar’ for all his works, which use fixed proportions and are based on the repetition of forms. Particularly in his early work, a central role is played by the square.
LeWitt’s oeuvre includes modular structures and stacks, prints and – since the eighties – large gouaches. Although LeWitt’s work is becoming increasingly more capricious and colourful, his personal ‘grammar’ remains visible.
The most striking works are his monumental wall drawings, which he paints directly onto the wall. In 1996, one of these wall paintings entitled Wall drawing # 801: Spiral was executed for the first time in the Cupola of the museum. This wall drawing, which was donated by the artist, has been on display again since March 2005.
Besides this, the museum’s collection contains a monumental outdoor sculpture entitled ‘Long Pyramid’ (1994), a series of studies on paper and models of ‘Long Pyrmamid’, a modular sculpture entitled: ‘Complex Forms No 8’ and 8 large scale gouaches (1990 – 2000). In 2007 LeWitt donated ‘Wall drawing # 1239 Scribbles (Bonnefanten)’, 2007.
Sol LeWitt died in april 2007.