In 1911, Morgan Russell met fellow American artist Stanton Macdonald-Wright while they were both living in Paris. Together, they developed Synchromism: an abstract style that probes deep into color theory. Synchromy in Orange: To Form is considered a pinnacle work of the movement. Its complex composition and impressive scale is a spectacular visual synopsis of the experiments Russell and Macdonald-Wright pursued. Although this work appears abstract, numerous preparatory studies reveal that Russell related the underlying configuration to the human figure and the Cubists’ treatment of objects. However, for the artist, color and form were the most important aspects of his compositions. Russell eventually moved back to the United States in 1946.

Label from Picasso: The Artist and His Models, November 5, 2016–February 19, 2017