The late Hans Hofmann's ascop is as fresh now as the day that he painted it 54 years ago. Gazing at the thick, still-wet-appearing texture of the two-dimensional surface, we are seduced by the sensuously soft and silky pigment. Our eyes course along his lyrical line and his mustard-mayonnaise yellows and ripe-tomato reds. Cobalt blues help ground us in our visual journey as we become absorbed in the energy and awed by the drama of this work of art.

In Ascop we can appreciate Hofmann's mastery of rhythm in the movement of his brush, and share his love for bold colors. The work invites us to return to a passage and experience again a form or his gesture. His composition displays complexity in the passages of paint he has integrated as well as the simplicity of what remains essentially a pure stroke of color. Hofmann leaves us satisfied in the experience of his passion, and eager for more.

Works by Hofmann are on view at the Naples Museum of Art through March 21.

-Mark Ormond

Mark Ormond is a Southwest Florida writer, art historian and consultant.