Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a pastel drawing by Joseph E. Yoakum. It dates from 1968 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
The hills have a wavy, almost abstract shape, and there’s a tiny yellow sun near some purple flowers.
This drawing shows a quiet, layered landscape with soft hills and a winding river. The colors are muted—blues, greens, and pinks—like a watercolor sketch. A train tracks cuts through the scene, leading to a small town with a few buildings. The hills have a wavy, almost abstract shape, and there’s a tiny yellow sun near some purple flowers.
The artist wrote the title and date right on the paper, marking it as 1968. The mix of fountain pen, colored pencil, and pastel gives it a sketchy, hand-drawn feel.
Check out pastel to see how artists use soft, blendable sticks to create light and texture.
Overview
Untitled, a 1968 drawing by Joseph E. Yoakum, combines multiple media on paper to create a serene landscape. Currently housed at The Museum of Modern Art, the work features soft, layered hills, a winding river, and a small town intersected by train tracks.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a peaceful, natural scene juxtaposed with subtle human presence (a small town and train tracks). The overall mood is calm, with muted colors and organic forms dominating the composition.
Technique & Style
Yoakum employed a mix of blue and black fountain pen, purple ballpoint pen, colored pencil, and pastel to achieve a sketchy, hand-drawn appearance. The wavy, almost abstract hill shapes and blended pastel tones contribute to the drawing's soft, layered quality.
History & Provenance
Created in 1968, the drawing is signed and dated by the artist directly on the paper. It is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph Elmer Yoakum was an American self-taught painter. He was of African-American and possibly of Native American–descent, and was known for his landscape paintings in the outsider art-style. He was age 76 when he…
