Robert Ryman's artistic journey in the 1950s marks the beginning of his lifelong exploration into the foundations of painting. After serving in the US Army, Ryman moved to New York in the early 1950s with the initial ambition of becoming a professional jazz saxophonist. His encounter with the world of visual art, particularly during his time working as a security guard at the Museum of Modern Art, profoundly influenced his direction. Here, Ryman was exposed to the works of European modern masters and contemporary American artists, sparking his interest in painting (The Art Story). By 1955, Ryman had started experimenting with painting, producing works that diverged from traditional representational art. His early pieces were characterized by their exploration of painting's material components—support, surface, lighting, and hanging systems—marked by a distinctive focus on the color white for its neutrality. This period was crucial for Ryman as he began to question and redefine the essence of painting, experimenting with its physical and conceptual limits (The Art Story) (Art21). Ryman's work during the 1950s laid the groundwork for his subsequent recognition as a pivotal figure in the minimalism and conceptual art movements, although his style remained unique and distinct from these categorizations. His early experiments signified a shift towards what he termed "realistic" pieces, devoid of illusion or symbolism, focusing instead on the act of painting itself. This approach was innovative, challenging conventional perceptions of art and its presentation, influencing the development of minimalism and conceptual art in the years that followed (The Art Story) (Art21) (Xavier Hufkens). These foundational years in the 1950s, therefore, were not just a period of artistic exploration for Ryman but also a time of profound personal and professional development. His initial works, characterized by their material investigation and simplicity, signaled the emergence of a new artistic voice, one deeply committed to exploring the possibilities and boundaries of painting (The Art Story) (Art21) (Xavier Hufkens).