A blank white canvas created by minimalist American painter Robert Ryman is set to go on auction in Berlin, Germany. The artwork, titled General 52” x 52," refers to its dimensions and is from 1970. It will be part of the Ketterer Kunst auction on December 6 and 7, according to the New York Post.

The canvas may look empty, but it is actually painted with white enamel and enamelac, which are materials normally used on metal. These materials create a very smooth and delicate surface. Since the surface is so sensitive, the painting cannot be moved for display before the auction, as even small marks could lower its value.

“The material is very sensitive, and the smallest traces in the flawless surface would immediately reduce the value of the work significantly,” the auction house explained. “That’s why we are not sending it on a journey.”

Experts explain the deeper meaning behind the minimalist artwork

Art expert Simone Wichmann from Ketterer Kunst explained the deeper meaning of the painting. She said that even though the canvas looks empty, it encourages people to look closer and discover more in its simplicity.

“White is not always white. The white colour reveals the light, movement, and structure of the material,” Wichmann said. She also emphasised how the artwork involves the audience. “The viewer is challenged and becomes the creator of the art,” she added.

Robert Ryman, a self-taught artist, gained fame for his unique style despite having worked as a security guard at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His minimalist paintings often spark debate but have also sold for millions of dollars.

This auction follows other unusual art sales. For example, Maurizio Cattelan’s artwork Comedian—a banana taped to a wall—was sold for $6.2 million, and the buyer later ate the banana. The sale of General 52” x 52” is also expected to attract a lot of attention and spark conversations in the art world.