Artist: Ilya Bolotowsky (1907–1981)
Title: Mini-Tondo in Scarlet, Yellow, and Blue
Medium: Original Acrylic on Wood with original custom Artist’s frame
Size: 8" Diameter
Year: 1975
Signature: Signed, titled, and dated to verso 'Mini-Tondo in Scarlet, Yellow and Blue, 1975 Ilya Bolotowsky'
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity, complete record of provenance available by request
"Mini-Tondo in Scarlet, Yellow and Blue" (1975) underscores Ilya Bolotowsky's continued exploration of geometric abstraction and the tondo format. Executed on an 8-inch circular wooden panel, the composition features bold color fields in scarlet, yellow, and blue, arranged in a harmonious balance. The circular format reflects Bolotowsky's interest in non-traditional shapes, challenging the conventional rectangular canvas and creating a sense of unity and rhythm within the composition.
Ilya Bolotowsky's engagement with the tondo format began in the 1940s when he was introduced to circular wagon wheels during his time at the University of Wyoming. He stretched canvas over these wheels, creating circular paintings he termed "tondos", a reference to the circular paintings of Renaissance Italy. This innovative approach allowed Bolotowsky to explore the optical effects posed by the round format, emphasizing the contrast between the curved edge of the painting and the straight lines within.
Bolotowsky's Tondos had their museum debut in 1974 during the the artist’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum solo show. Since, his Tondo works were exhibited in major institutions, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, which holds Tondo Variation in Red (1978) in its collection.
"Mini-Tondo in Scarlet, Yellow and Blue" is signed, titled, and dated on the verso. The work remains in its original frame from the artist which includes some minor separation. Purchase includes a gallery certificate of authenticity from Modern Artifact, and an unbroken record of provenance is available by request.
About Ilya Bolotowsky
Ilya Bolotowsky (1907–1981) was a central figure in the development of American abstract art, renowned for his disciplined exploration of geometric abstraction and his contributions to art education. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Bolotowsky emigrated to the United States with his family in 1923, settling in New York City, where he immersed himself in the dynamic artistic environment of the 1920s and 1930s. He studied at the National Academy of Design, where he honed his technical skills while absorbing the influences of European modernism. Bolotowsky was deeply inspired by the work of Piet Mondrian, and over time, he developed a distinctive visual language defined by precise geometric forms, harmonious color relationships, and an intellectual approach to composition.
In 1936, Bolotowsky co-founded the American Abstract Artists group, a pioneering organization dedicated to advancing non-representational art in the United States. The group organized exhibitions, published critical essays, and created a community of artists who shared Bolotowsky's belief in the expressive power of abstraction. His own work evolved from early figurative and semi-abstract paintings to compositions emphasizing vertical and horizontal lines, grids, and planes of color, reflecting a rigorous commitment to balance and proportion.
Bolotowsky also played a significant role as an educator. He taught at Black Mountain College, one of the most influential experimental art schools of the mid-20th century, and mentored artists including Ruth Asawa and Kenneth Noland. His pedagogical approach emphasized careful observation, the study of structure, and the development of a disciplined yet expressive visual vocabulary. His teaching career extended across numerous universities in the United States, allowing him to shape generations of emerging artists.
Bolotowsky’s work has been exhibited in major institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. His paintings are held in permanent collections at these and other notable museums worldwide. Through his advocacy, teaching, and artistic production, Bolotowsky played a key role in establishing abstract art as a central component of American modernism, leaving a lasting impact on both artistic practice and art education.
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