Clocks & Chimes

A quietly meditative 20th century abstraction from 1971 that distils the essence of time and rhythm into a refined visual language of line and tone, executed in oil onto canvas.

The canvas is divided horizontally: a calm expanse of warm, creamy white above, and below it, layered bands of muted browns and soft taupes that read like measured intervals or tonal reverberations.

Two linear elements punctuate the stillness. A slender yellow arc rises gently from the lower edge, its curve suggesting cyclical motion and the continuous sweep of time. To the right, a vertical red line edged subtly in yellow stands upright and precise, like the strike of a bell or the steady mark of an hour. Together, they evoke both movement and resonance: the visual equivalent of a clock’s face and its chime.

The style is characteristically mid-century in its clarity and reduction. Forms are simplified to essential gestures, and depth is created through tonal layering rather than perspective. The palette is warm and harmonious: creamy neutrals and earthy browns provide a grounded field, while the yellow and red introduce quiet luminosity and rhythm.

Brushwork is smooth and controlled, with matte, even applications that emphasise colour fields over texture. The horizontal bands are softly blended, creating a sense of gentle gradation,  like sound fading into silence,  while the linear accents remain crisp and deliberate.

This oil on canvas is housed in a champagne toned wood frame. The painting is in excellent vintage condition, and the frame has some scuffs as shown. 

Size: 46.5 x 46.5 cm (including frame)