Geometric Figures & Color by Sol LeWitt

Geometric Figures & Color is a book highlighting the work of Sol LeWitt (1928–2007), a conceptual artist who in addition to producing physical works issued precise instructions how to achieve such works. Through this conceptual approach, LeWitt dictated the shapes and colors and how to combine them. As a result, these instructions yield renderings in which geometry takes an important place. From Printed Matter:

In this book six geometric figures – circle, square, triangle, rectangle, trapezoid and parallelogram – are presented, sequentially, in duo-chrome prints of primary colors – yellow and blue on red, red and blue on yellow, yellow and red on blue.

The choice of Futura is interesting because this typeface could be a work of LeWitt, with a single stroke thickness and very geometric shapes, including a perfect O and other characters with a structure that can be described by simple instructions.

Add to that the tightly kerned letters, giving compact word images – typographic choices that are part of Sol Lewitt’s approach.

The book measuring 8×8 inches (203×203 mm) was first published by Harry N. Abrams, New York, in 1979, both in hardback and softcover editions. It’s not clear if LeWitt takes credit for the typography himself. He studied at the School of Visual Arts and worked as a graphic designer in the 1950s, so it’s not unlikely.