Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by John Byam Shaw, watercolor, 1900
Untitled, by John Byam Shaw, watercolor, 1900

Untitled is a watercolor drawing by John Byam Shaw. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Untitled is a drawing created circa 1900 by John Byam Shaw, a British artist known for his work in various mediums. The piece is executed in watercolor, gouache, and chalk on paper mounted on board.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a dramatic maritime scene: a ship is sinking in turbulent waters, with swirling red and blue hues and a murky sky. The ship's faint lights are visible despite being half-submerged, surrounded by floating debris.

Technique & Style

Byam Shaw employed loose, expressive brushstrokes to convey the dynamic movement of the water. The use of dark tones and layered colors creates a sense of depth, with the ship's lights standing out against the surrounding darkness.

History & Provenance

The drawing is part of the collection at The Museum of Modern Art.

Artist & collection

Portrait of John Byam Shaw

Artist

John Byam Shaw

John Byam Liston Shaw (13 November 1872 – 26 January 1919), commonly known as Byam Shaw, was a British painter, illustrator, designer and teacher.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.