Description

Curatorial Narrative In the context of early 20th-century modernism, “Happy new year!” by Albert Levering can be situated within the burgeoning tradition of political cartooning, yet its still life composition and vibrant color palette simultaneously align with the emerging Modernist aesthetic. The linear brushwork employed by Levering imbues the work with a sense of dynamism, as if the objects on display are about to burst forth from their confines. As an object scaled up to 44×58 inches, “Happy new year!” assumes a more commanding presence in the space. The vibrant blues and yellows, initially read as a celebratory color scheme, now exert a more assertive chromatic structure, establishing a visual rhythm that can be harmonized with rich textures like velvets or wools. The spatial depth created by Levering’s use of atmospheric perspective objects recede into the background, their outlines softened by an apparent haze creates a