In the series Monochromasters I use a computer program to calculate the median color of famous works of art. Then I reproduce the works using the same size as the original works and the works are titled using the title and artist of the original.
![](https://www.xndre.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/vangogh-monochrome-org-insta.jpg)
![](https://www.xndre.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/vangogh-monochrome-insta.jpg)
I wanted to see if anything of a connection with the original remains. What is the essence of a work of art. When does a reproduction lose all connection to the original. The process reminds me of homeopathy: trying to dillute the originals to the extreme, so the result has a strong effect on its own.
![](https://www.xndre.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/rembrandt-monochrome-org-insta.jpg)
![](https://www.xndre.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/rembrandt-monochrome-instagram.jpg)
I have used this process on a great number of paintings on my Instagram, always respecting the relative size of the pieces to each other. I am always amazed at how different the impact is of different works, based only on color and scale.
![](https://www.xndre.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/monochromasters-instagram.png)
For an exhibition in 2020 I created several physical pieces in this series: high quality glicé prints on A0 art paper, of the monochrome version of famous works of art at the same size as the originals. I really felt the ephemeral connection these pieces have with their original source art works.
![](https://www.xndre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/L8A0811-1024x683.jpg)