ABOUT THE WORK

Jacob El Hanani’s Linescape masterfully blends minimalism with the tradition of landscape painting, drawing from both his personal background and art history. Deeply influenced by the abstract and minimalist movements that shaped the New York City art scene of the 1970s, El Hanani’s work is defined by simplicity and precision. While it reflects the meticulous nature of minimalism, his art goes beyond its usual boundaries, incorporating rich cultural and historical references, particularly his Jewish heritage, with micro-drawing techniques.

Inspired by J.M.W. Turner’s dramatic use of light and atmosphere, Linescape resembles an abstract landscape, with swirling gray tones that evoke misty skies or seascapes. However, upon closer inspection, the intricacy of El Hanani’s technique comes to the forefront, revealing thousands of meticulously drawn lines created with a quill or Rapidograph pen. These delicate, almost microscopic lines create a layered texture that draws the viewer deeper into the work. This unique approach allows El Hanani to reinterpret traditional landscape painting, creating his own version of a Landscape—an abstract Linescape.

El Hanani’s Linescape demands time and attention; it is not a piece to be quickly absorbed. Instead, he invites viewers to engage in a slow, meditative process, where two distinct layers of the artwork unfold. From a distance, the canvas appears as a wash of gray tones, reminiscent of cloudy skies or atmospheric landscapes. But up close, the true complexity of the piece is revealed—countless intersecting lines form intricate abstract patterns. This duality creates a “bifocal” viewing experience, inviting careful observation and reflecting the labor-intensive process behind its creation. This balance between abstraction and detail makes Linescape not only a tribute to the history of landscape painting but also a profound exploration of the boundaries between minimalism and complexity.