The late 1960s marked a creative turning point for Frank Stella. The controlled minimalism of his early works (evident in his brooding, rectilinear Black Paintings) gave way to bold, rainbow palettes and sculpted surfaces. He also experimented with canvas shape and began to incorporate curvilinear elements into his compositions.

His celebrated Protractor series (1967-71), of which Hiraqla Variation II forms part, features multi-coloured arcs arranged to resemble the full and half circles of a protractor. The curved forms are inspired by the rounded, vibrant patterns traditionally found in Islamic art, while the titles draw on the names of ancient circular cities in Asia Minor.