Vertical abstract painting, STRATA XI — ASCENSUS. A dominant dark green field. At the top, a large red rectangular form emerges from a dense, textured horizontal line with dark, red, and blue tones. Two smaller red rectangular forms flank the main one, rising from the same line. Below, a dark rectangular block with touches of red and blue lies isolated. — STRATA XI — ASCENSUS by Maurizio Valch. The artwork builds spatial tension with monolithic red forms and a dark block, set against a deep green background. Acrylic and oil on canvas.

Vertical abstract painting by Maurizio Valch, featuring dark green, crimson, and blue tones. The composition highlights a large rectangular red block at the top, a subtly incised horizontal line, and two small reddish forms centrally placed over a green background. A dark blue block anchors the base. — STRATA XI — ASCENSUS by Maurizio Valch. A vertical acrylic and oil on canvas artwork articulating geometric forms and color fields, revealing tensions and stillness within the STRATA series.

Vertical abstract painting in XL format by Maurizio Valch. It features a large dark green field with a dominant rectangular red block in the center. Small red forms are visible on a dark horizontal band, with a darker block anchoring the base. — "STRATA XI — ASCENSUS" by Maurizio Valch: an abstract acrylic and oil painting on canvas. The work features an ascending red block against a green field, suggesting stratified layers and transformation within its vertical composition.

Vertical abstract painting, "STRATA XI — ASCENSUS," by Maurizio Valch. A large, textured red rectangle rises above a deep green field. A dark horizontal line and smaller red shapes, alongside a lower black block, structure the material composition in acrylic and oil on canvas. The artwork presents a strong tension between its forms and colors. — Maurizio Valch's "STRATA XI — ASCENSUS." A composition of tension and balance, where matter and color construct an abstract, stratified territory in acrylic and oil on canvas.

Vertical abstract painting, with a dark green background. A large red rectangular form rises centrally, flanked at the base by two small dark blocks. A thin, light line appears above the red form. Created with acrylic and oil on canvas, the artwork has a subtle textured surface. — STRATA XI — ASCENSUS by Maurizio Valch. Acrylic and oil on canvas. This piece from the STRATA series presents a powerful contrast of green and red, engaging with the surrounding architectural space.

Vertical abstract painting, titled STRATA XI — ASCENSUS, featuring a large red block over a deep green field, with a dark horizontal band and a small threshold at the bottom. The artwork hangs on a textured concrete wall in a contemporary living room with organic wooden furniture. — STRATA XI — ASCENSUS by Maurizio Valch presents a dialogue between the monolithic red block and the expansive green field. This artwork invites sober contemplation, bringing a distinct presence to any space.

Close-up of a vertical abstract painting. An intense carmine red rectangular block with impasto layers over a dark green background. A black horizontal line, showing subtle blue and red tones, divides the red from the green. Canvas texture and brushstrokes are visible. — Maurizio Valch's "STRATA XI — ASCENSUS." A dialogue of carmine and forest green, with lines structuring an abstract territory of matter and tension. Acrylic and oil on canvas.

Published work / STRATA

ASCENSUS

Vertical Abstract Painting by Maurizio Valch from the STRATA Series

Size: 31.5 × 47.2 in / 80 × 120 cm
Series: STRATA
Context studies: 7
Video: 00:42

Conceptual Note

In STRATA XI — ASCENSUS, Maurizio Valch creates a contemporary abstract painting marked by the interaction of solid forms and an expansive vertical plane. Executed in acrylic and oil on canvas, the artwork features a dominant field of deep green, which serves as its foundational layer. Upon this surface, a prominent rectangular form of crimson red emerges in the upper section, notable for its volume and vibrant color. This monolithic structure rests on a dense horizontal band, where dark nuances and reddish touches reveal a textured surface with impasto and scraping. Two smaller red blocks accompany the central form, establishing a visual anchor that reinforces the vertical composition. The material quality of these painted forms lends them an almost architectural presence. At the bottom of the artwork, an isolated dark rectangular block, with subtle glimmers of red and blue, creates a counterpoint that converses with the masses above. This work explores the relationship between the stillness of the color field and the emergence of elements that suggest spatial stratification.

In ASCENSUS, my dialogue with Mark Rothko is manifested in the dominant field of deep green that serves as the painting's foundational layer. This expansive, still color field establishes an immersive atmosphere where the quiet weight of color dictates the spatial experience. The tension between this vast green plane and the emerging monolithic elements intensifies the emotional resonance of the canvas. At the same time, the composition aligns with the lineage of Nicolas de Staël through the compact blocks of color that introduce an architectural presence. The prominent rectangular form of crimson red, accompanied by two smaller red blocks, functions as a visual anchor that reinforces the spatial stratification of the work. These dense masses, along with the isolated dark rectangular block at the bottom, are structurally grounded by a textured horizontal band worked with impasto and scraping.