Alfred Jensen
Alfred Jensen (b. 1903, Guatemala City d. 1981, Livingston) studied painting at the San Diego Fine Arts School and in Munich under Hans Hoffman. After moving to the United States in 1934, his patron Saidie Alder May encouraged him to pursue his interested in color theory and pattern. Jensen's intricately organized diagrams reflect his distinctive conceptual approach, begun in the late 1950s when he started to refine his wide-ranging studies of systems and philosophies—from theories of color and light, mathematics, and the Mayan calendar, to scientific formulations—into multicolored checkerboards. He used mathematical systems to construct two-dimensional grid paintings and demonstrate color theories, but the work itself is metaphorical, referencing pre-Colombian and Asian cultures, textiles, and divination. Pace Gallery has represented Jensen's estate since 1977.
Images
Alfred Jensen, Emission Spectrum, 1975. Oil on canvas, 74 x 37" (188 x 94 cm) 37 x 37" (94 x 94 cm), two panels, each.
Alfred Jensen, Physical Optics, 1975. Oil on canvas, 3 panels, each 86" x 51"; overall installed, 86 x 153" (218.4 x 388.6 cm).
Alfred Jensen, The Marriage of Odd and Even Numbers, 1964. Oil on canvas, 72" x 50" (182.9 cm x 127 cm).
Alfred Jensen, There came into being: Clairvoyance, Per. I, Divination, Per. II, 1959. Oil on canvas, 74" x 94-7/8" (188 cm x 241 cm), overall 74" x 48-7/8" (188 cm x 124.1 cm), left panel74" x 46" (188 cm x 116.8 cm), right panel.
Alfred Jensen, Square XXI Growth, 1968. Oil on linen, 70-1/2 x 70-1/2" (179.1 x 179.1 cm).
Alfred Jensen, Men & Horses, 1963. Oil on canvas, 50" x 66" (127 cm x 167.6 cm), 3 panels, each50" x 198" (127 cm x 502.9 cm), overall.
Alfred Jensen, Study in Odd Sequences, 1964. Oil on canvas, 36 x 36" (91.4 x 91.4 cm).
Alfred Jensen, Two Visions - One Ocean (Starboard, Christoforo Columbo, Santa Maria, Larboard, Vasco da Gama), 1959. Oil on canvas, overall: 6' 8" x 19' 2" (2.03 m x 5.84 m); 5 panels, each: 6' 8" x 3' 10" (2.03 m x 1.17 m).
Alfred Jensen, Demonstration VIII, January 18, 1961. Ink and colored pencil on paper, 32" x 26" (81.3 cm x 66 cm).
Alfred Jensen, The Magic 5; Radial, 1976. Oil on linen, 20" x 35" (50.8 cm x 88.9 cm).
Alfred Jensen, Acroatic Rectangle, Per. XIV, 1967. Oil on canvas, 8' 1" x 8' 1" (246.4 cm x 246.4 cm).
Alfred Jensen, Spectral Timing, 1975. Oil on canvas, 51" x 200" (129.5 x 508 cm), overall 51" x 40" (129.5 x 101.6 cm) 5 panels, each.
Alfred Jensen, A la fin de l'automne, 1975. Oil on canvas, four panels, overall: 6' 2" x 12' 4" (188 cm x 375.9 cm); each panel: 6' 2" x 3' 1" (188 cm x 94 cm).
Alfred Jensen, The Parthenon at Athens, n.d.. Ink on paper with collage, 30" x 20" (76.2 cm x 50.8 cm).