Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Alfred Leslie. It dates from 1976 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
The artist signed it in the corner with the name "Constantine" and the year "1976"—but that’s not the person’s name.
This is a black-and-white pencil drawing of a person’s face and shoulders. The hair is short and curly, the shirt has buttons down the front, and the face looks serious. The lines are simple but show the shape of the head and neck clearly.
The artist signed it in the corner with the name "Constantine" and the year "1976"—but that’s not the person’s name. It’s just the artist’s signature.
If you like this style, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with lines.
Overview
Untitled, a 1976 pencil drawing by Alfred Leslie, is a straightforward portrait of a person's face and shoulders rendered in black and white. The work is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a person with short, curly hair and a serious expression, wears a button-front shirt. The individual's identity remains unspecified, as the signature 'Constantine' (1976) refers to the artist, not the subject.
Technique & Style
Characterized by simple yet effective lines, the drawing clearly delineates the head and neck's contours. The artist's approach emphasizes clarity over intricate detail or shading techniques, such as cross-hatching.
History & Provenance
Created in 1976, the drawing is signed 'Constantine' by the artist, a pseudonym used by Alfred Leslie. It is currently held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alfred Leslie was an American painter and filmmaker. He first achieved success as an Abstract Expressionist painter, but changed course in the early 1960s and became a painter of realistic figurative paintings.
