Curatorial Narrative In the early 20th century, Modernist ideologies began to permeate the art world, giving rise to radical shifts in visual language. “Is he going or coming” by Anonymous exemplifies this paradigmatic shift, as it boldly eschews traditional techniques for a more avant-garde approach. Painted in 1904, this enigmatic work falls squarely within the Art Deco and Modernist design styles of its era, yet its lack of brushwork characteristic of photomechanical reproduction signals an intention to disrupt the viewer’s expectations. Upon enlargement to its specified scale of 44×53 inches, the chromatic structure of “Is he going or coming” assumes a commanding presence. The juxtaposition of red and green creates a dynamic spatial rhythm that propels the viewer’s gaze through the composition. As light falls upon the artwork, it imbues the surrounding space with an atmospheric weight that seems almost palpable. The stark co