Houses with Red by Charles Demuth
Houses with Red by Charles Demuth is a striking example of the artist's Precisionist style, which combines elements of realism with a strong emphasis on geometric forms and architectural detail. Painted around the 1920s, this work depicts a cluster of buildings, likely in Demuth's hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The painting features clean lines and sharp angles, with blocks of bold red set against neutral tones of white, gray, and brown, creating a dynamic contrast that draws the viewer's eye across the canvas. The houses are depicted with a stylized, almost abstract quality, reflecting Demuth's interest in the interplay between structure, color, and light.
Demuth's use of color and form emphasizes the modern, urban feel of the composition while retaining a sense of place and time. The red hues evoke the warmth and vibrancy of the town's architecture, while the precision of the lines and angles underscores his fascination with industrial and urban subjects. Houses with Red is celebrated for its clarity, balance, and modernist sensibility, showcasing Demuth's contribution to the Precisionist movement and his ability to blend abstraction with a keen observation of everyday American life. This work exemplifies his exploration of the visual language of modernity, making it an important piece in his body of work.
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Title: Houses with Red
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Artist: Charles Demuth
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Date: c. 1920s
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Medium: Watercolor and graphite on paper
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Style: Precisionism
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Dimensions: 24 x 18 inches
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Current Location: Various collections
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Subject: A cluster of buildings rendered with clean lines and bold colors, reflecting Demuth's Precisionist approach to capturing the geometry and essence of urban American architecture.
