Jo Baer, a groundbreaking artist who helped shape the minimalist movement before boldly stepping away from it, died on Tuesday at her home in Amsterdam. She was 95. Her son, Josh Baer, confirmed her passing, citing bladder cancer and other health issues as the cause.

Baer first made waves in the 1960s as a key figure in the minimalist art scene. Her early works were stark and precise, often featuring flat white or gray fields framed by bold black borders. A thin green or colored line would sometimes run along the edges, adding a subtle but striking visual element. These pieces stood in sharp contrast to the emotional, expressive style of Abstract Expressionism that dominated the 1950s.

Her work quickly gained recognition, landing her in major exhibitions like “Systemic Painting” at the Guggenheim Museum and “10” at the Dwan Gallery. By 1966, she had her first solo show at New York’s Fischbach Gallery, solidifying her place in the art world.

But Baer wasn’t one to stay in one lane. After a midcareer retrospective at the Whitney Museum in 1975, she made a dramatic shift. She abandoned the minimalist style that had defined her career, opting instead for a more symbolic approach filled with dreamlike imagery and historical references. This bold move also led her to leave New York City and, to some extent, the spotlight of the art world.

Despite stepping back from the mainstream, Baer’s influence on modern art remains undeniable. Her early minimalist works continue to inspire, while her later pieces showcase her fearless creativity and willingness to evolve. Her legacy is a testament to the power of reinvention in art and life.