b. 1928 in Hartford, Connecticut, USA

d. 2007 in New York, USA

Sol LeWitt was one of the most influential artists of his generation. Along with other artists like Robert Mangold, he was a pivotal figure in the development of Minimalism and Conceptual Art in reaction to Abstract Expressionism.

His work put forth the importance of ideas and concepts. In his famous Sentences on Conceptual Art (1969), he stated, “The artist’s will is secondary to the process he initiates from idea to completion. His wilfulness may only be ego.” With the exception of his works on paper, LeWitt’s work has always been executed by others, following clear and precise guidelines and instructions akin to a kind of musical score. These instructions constitute the actual work of art, while the resulting geometric wall drawings and paintings are impermanent. Through this process LeWitt aimed to “absolutely and logically” follow “irrational thoughts.”