Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache drawing by Davis. It dates from 1938 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Stuart Davis's 1938 work, Untitled, is a gouache drawing that exemplifies his unique blend of modernist and urban themes. Created during the Great Depression, it showcases his involvement in federally sponsored art programs.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a fragmented cityscape, comprising buildings, flags, and letters, rearranged in a non-realistic composition. The presence of the Swedish flag and letters like 'C' and 'R' adds to the work's enigmatic quality, inviting interpretation.
Technique & Style
Davis employed a flat, two-dimensional style, eschewing shadows and depth in favor of bold, simplified forms. The use of gouache, a matte water-based paint, contributed to the work's graphic quality, with bright colors and black lines creating a dynamic visual tension.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edward Stuart Davis (December 7, 1892 – June 24, 1964) was an American modernist painter.
