"Since art is a vehicle for the transmission of ideas through form, the reproduction of the form only reinforces the concept. It is the idea that is being reproduced. Anyone who understands the work of art owns it. We all own the Mona Lisa."
Sol LeWitt (1928–2007) was an American artist who played a pivotal role in the development of Conceptual and Minimalist art. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, he studied at Syracuse University before moving to New York City in 1953, where he worked as a graphic designer for architect I.M. Pei. By the 1960s, LeWitt had shifted away from Abstract Expressionism to focus on geometric forms and systematic processes, creating what he called “structures” rather than sculptures. His groundbreaking Paragraphs on Conceptual Art (1967) and Sentences on Conceptual Art (1968) articulated his belief that the idea behind a work of art was more important than its physical execution. LeWitt’s wall drawings, executed by teams of assistants based on his written instructions, exemplify his emphasis on collaboration and the dematerialization of the art object.
LeWitt’s work spanned a wide range of media, including drawing, printmaking, photography, and artist’s books, and has been exhibited extensively worldwide. His wall drawings and structures are featured in major institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Dia:Beacon in New York, and the Tate Modern in London. Known for his use of simple forms—lines, grids, and cubes—LeWitt’s art balances mathematical precision with playful complexity. His legacy continues to influence contemporary art through its radical redefinition of artistic authorship and its invitation for viewers to engage with art as an evolving process rather than a static object.