Barnett Newman’s oil on canvas on display at the MOMA in NYC titled “Vir Heroicus Sublimis” 1950-51 is his largest ever at that time.  When standing close to this expansive work, he wanted the viewer to liken this experience to a human encounter. 

“It’s no different, really, from meeting another person,” the American painter wrote.  “One has a reaction to the person physically.  Also, there’s a metaphysical thing, and if a meeting of people is meaningful, it affects both their lives.”