Gerzso, Gunther (1966). Personage in Red and Blue [oil on fabric]. The Gene C. Gerzso 1999 Trust.

Ordinarily I would view the elements in this work as being stacked, but because of Gerzso’s subtle spatial separation between them the viewer seems to be above and looking down on them, changing the tone of their arrangement. Normally I don’t care for static, flat fields of color, but the way the blue elements interact with each other and his use of texture infuse this work with interest (for me). |

In this oil on fabric painting, the subject cannot be identified beyond the shapes themselves, and their interaction with each other. The interplay of the elements inspires a specific sense of spatial depth and elemental character, if one could reach out and touch them. One of the truly remarkable attributes of shape in this work is Gerzso’s rendering of edges; they are not defined by line, but a hazy, narrow value blend throughout. The “color scheme” is the display primaries treated with relatively pure intensity. Texture is also used to infuse the blocky shapes with character. 

Gerzso’s intended illusion of decorative depth is locked solidly in place. He uses all components of gestalt in combination with color temperature, value and purity to create both spatial order with regard to elemental relations but also forms on the elements themselves. The sense of balance in this work is approximately symmetrically balanced, although if looking straight-on, there is an unmistakable sense of tension that disturbs this. 

This work seems to be dominated by geometric, nearly-mechanical shapes. However there are enough edges with subtle, curved forms but counteract this. Element size and relative position (spatial order and isolation) direct the eye to the large red objects toward the top of the picture plane. Shared and close edges create a pattern where the eye flows downward and follows in a sort of stair-step manner to the supporting, subordinate elements. 

This work is one of the best possible examples of how to create restricted (proximity, texture) and moderate (value, overlap) space, as well as harmony (elemental pacing, shape character) and interest (value, color). Gerzso’s manipulation of these attributes and qualities is seamless.