Artwork
Man and Woman on Bench
Man and Woman on Bench is a gouache drawing by Juan Gris. It dates from 1908 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Man and Woman on Bench is a 1908 drawing by Juan Gris, created with charcoal, gouache, and watercolor on wove paper. It exemplifies the artist's early experimentation with Cubism.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a man and woman seated on a bench, with the man holding a hat over her head. The figures are set against a backdrop of trees and a fence, with the woman's pose suggesting vulnerability or distress.
Technique & Style
Gris employed simplified, angular shapes and bold lines to render the figures and their surroundings. The color palette is subdued, with beige, brown, and black dominating, punctuated by occasional bright accents.
History & Provenance
Juan Gris, born José Victoriano González-Pérez, was a Spanish artist who later became a key figure in the Cubist movement in France. This drawing reflects his early engagement with Cubism's structured, geometric approach to form.
Artist & collection
Artist
José Victoriano González-Pérez , better known as Juan Gris, was a Spanish painter born in Madrid who lived and worked in France for most of his active period.
Alfred la Guigne
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