b. 1962, Germany

Lives and works in New York

Robert Janitz is known for his large abstract paintings that employ oil in combination with gesso, egg or wax and flour on a monochrome background. His work explores the mnemonic effects of the surfaces and textures surrounding him, while his references can be as commonplace as the sensuous appeal of such mundane sights as buttered bread. In all of his compositions, he foregrounds the process of painting and its material qualities through his luscious application of pigment, subtle color combinations, and the rough edges of his canvases. Janitz aims for directness, and compares his immersive brushstrokes in one series to “a ‘hardware store’ gesture, like someone who cleans a window or spreads butter on a piece of toast.”

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