Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache drawing by Arthur Bowen Davies. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created circa 1920, this drawing by Arthur B.
About this work
Overview
The work’s modest scale and intimate medium contrast with the grand ambitions of the avant-garde movements Davies helped introduce to U.
Created circa 1920, this drawing by Arthur B. Davies combines crayon and gouache on colored paper, reflecting his interest in expressive, non-naturalistic forms. It resides in The Museum of Modern Art’s collection, representing a transitional phase in American modernism. The work’s modest scale and intimate medium contrast with the grand ambitions of the avant-garde movements Davies helped introduce to U.S. audiences during the early 20th century.
Subject & Meaning
A solitary figure stands in profile, arms lifted in a gesture that suggests balance, inquiry, or quiet exertion. The pose is neither narrative nor symbolic, avoiding clear interpretation. Davies avoids anatomical detail, favoring a fluid outline that implies movement rather than definition. The ambiguity invites contemplation of the human form in a state of suspension, detached from context or emotion.
Technique & Style
Davies employed crayon for soft, smudged contours and gouache—opaque watercolor—for muted, translucent washes. The application creates a hazy, atmospheric effect, with edges dissolving into the paper’s texture. The background’s gray-blue tone unifies the composition while emphasizing the figure’s fragility. The paper’s worn, irregular edges further enhance the sense of impermanence and quiet decay.
History & Provenance
The work entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection in its early years, likely acquired during the institution’s formative period of building a canon of modern art. Its inclusion signals institutional recognition of Davies’ role beyond his leadership in the 1913 Armory Show. No documented prior ownership is publicly recorded, suggesting it may have remained in the artist’s circle until acquisition.
Context
Made during a period when Davies was shifting from tonalist landscapes toward more abstract, symbolic forms, this drawing aligns with his late interest in spiritual and rhythmic expression. It reflects broader trends among American modernists exploring non-representational gesture and emotional resonance over realism. The use of everyday materials like colored paper underscores a move toward intimacy and immediacy in artistic practice.
Legacy
Though not among Davies’ most widely reproduced works, this drawing exemplifies his quieter, introspective mode—distinct from his public role as a promoter of modernism. It contributes to understanding how American artists engaged with European avant-garde ideas through personal, material experimentation. Its preservation in MoMA’s collection ensures its place in narratives of early 20th-century American drawing.
Artist & collection
Artist
Arthur Bowen Davies (September 26, 1862 – October 24, 1928) was an avant-garde American artist and influential advocate of modern art in the United States c. 1910–1928.
