Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache drawing by Bill Traylor. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a drawing created by Bill Traylor in 1940, executed in gouache and pencil on board. It is one of nearly 1,500 works produced by Traylor between 1939 and 1942.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a pig with a curly tail, its body marked by bold, expressive splotches of blue and black. The simple, direct representation is characteristic of Traylor's style, which conveys recollections and observations.
Technique & Style
Traylor combined pencil lines with gouache paint to create the pig's form, which stands out against a plain, light brown background. The use of gouache allows for bold, watery effects that add to the drawing's expressive quality.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Traylor (April 1, c. 1853 – October 23, 1949) was an African-American self-taught artist from Lowndes County, Alabama. Born into slavery, Traylor spent the majority of his life after emancipation as a…
