John Baldessari's All Z's (Picabia/Mondrian): Zealot (2017) is a compelling synthesis of art historical homage and conceptual innovation, standing as a testament to Baldessari's lifelong exploration of the boundaries between image and text, and the intersections of artistic legacies. This work is part of a broader series that sees Baldessari engaging with the art historical canon, specifically the contrasting styles of Francis Picabia and Piet Mondrian, two towering figures of 20th-century art known for their contributions to Cubism and De Stijl movements, respectively​ (The Broad)​​ (Musée Magazine)​.

The piece is a varnished inkjet print on canvas with acrylic paint, measuring 75 x 54 x 1 1/2 inches. It was acquired by The Broad Museum on June 15, 2018, underlining its significance within both Baldessari's oeuvre and contemporary art collections​ (The Broad)​.

Baldessari's approach in this series can be likened to the roles of an editor and curator, as he appropriates and juxtaposes works by other artists, thereby creating new meanings and revitalizing historic iconography. In All Z's (Picabia/Mondrian), he merges the abstract and geometric aesthetics of Mondrian's De Stijl with the fluid, organic forms characteristic of Picabia's Cubism. This blending is further nuanced by Baldessari's introduction of white rectangles placed across the compositions, adding a layer of fragmentation and signature flourish​ (Musée Magazine)​.

A notable aspect of this work, and indeed the series, is the inclusion of words starting with "Z" at the bottom of each piece. These terms range from the everyday to the scientific and artistic, such as "Zeal," "Zap," "Zany," "Zeatin," "Zamia," and "Zarzuela." Their relationship to the visual components is not direct, inviting viewers to engage in a speculative dialogue about meaning and context. This playful ambiguity challenges conventional interpretations of art and text, prompting reflections on the mutable nature of symbols and the interstitial spaces between established narratives​ (Musée Magazine)​.

All Z's (Picabia/Mondrian): Zealot encapsulates Baldessari's philosophical inquiries into art history's limitations and the potential for new dialogues through simultaneous study and reinterpretation of legendary artists' works. It is a provocative blend of homage and critique, visual and textual interplay, and a meditation on the evolving perception of symbolic content in the digital age. Through this series, Baldessari continues his lifelong exploration of the relationship between image and text, further cementing his legacy as a pioneer who persistently challenged the conventions of art making and interpretation​ (Musée Magazine)​.