Josef Albers (1888–1976) once said that he had no need of real motion to make a painting move. These three works (LAD 2015.044 - LAD 2015.046) are emblematic of his work from 1949 to his death. Produced with a palette knife directly on a prepared white panel, they pay homage to colour, the systematic use of the square being simply an expedient to eliminate the formal problem of content so that he could devote himself entirely to the optical effects of colour relations. This technique creates a subtle and sophisticated texture. These three works, which are independent but are founded on the same principles of composition and contrast, present planes that advance and recede, opening and closing the surface with absolute mastery.