Gerardo Rueda’s work from the very beginning of the sixties was largely defined by grey, although it proved to be a relatively brief cycle that spanned little more than a year. And it was this series of paintings that he presented at the Venice Biennale in 1960, the year he painted this Astro.

Rueda titled the works from this cycle using a method that resonates with Dadaism: once the painting was completed, Rueda picked a title from among the names in the telephone directory for Madrid. In this way, the artist deliberately eschewed any meaning in the title, using them instead as a mere instrument to help identify and organise his production.

In this almost monochrome painting, the subtle texture of the right side focuses our attention and guides the eye over the surface of the work.

A work made for pure contemplation.