Sol LeWitt was one of the key figures of 20th-century conceptual and minimalist art. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1928, he studied Fine Arts at Syracuse University before moving to New York, where he worked as a graphic designer and assistant at the Museum of Modern Art. After serving in Japan and Korea between 1951 and 1952, he began developing his artistic language, drawing inspiration from Bauhaus theories and Russian Constructivism.
In the 1960s, LeWitt exhibited alongside minimalist artists such as Carl Andre, Dan Flavin, and Donald Judd, but his practice stood out for its more conceptual approach. Indeed, his modular structures and Wall Drawings (murals executed by assistants following precise instructions) demonstrate that, for him, art was more of an idea than a physical object. He used to say: "The artist is like a composer; he doesn't need to play every instrument."
In 1967, in a letter to Eva Hesse, he laid out what became a manifesto for conceptual art, encouraging the artist not to fear failure and to create without overthinking: "Just do it. If it's good, it's good. If it's bad, it doesn't matter; at least you've done something." This spirit of creative freedom influenced many artists.
In 1976, he moved to Spoleto, Italy, where his exposure to Renaissance art influenced his use of color. At the same time, he continued to exhibit in the world's most prestigious museums, including the MoMA in New York, the Tate Modern in London, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
A reserved figure, LeWitt always avoided the spotlight, refusing to sign autographs and allowing his works to exist independently of him.
His works are part of the collections of the world's greatest museums, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of contemporary artists.