Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Tom of Finland. It dates from 1978 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a 1978 pencil drawing on paper by Tom of Finland, a pseudonym of Touko Laaksonen. The work is characteristic of the artist's medium and style.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a muscular man with short, wavy hair, shown from the chest up. He faces right, with his head turned towards the viewer. The image is a representation of the hypermasculine male figures often found in Laaksonen's erotic art.
Technique & Style
The drawing is rendered realistically, with detailed facial features and physique. Shading and texture create depth and dimension. Laaksonen's use of pencil on paper showcases his skill in capturing the human form, likely employing techniques such as cross-hatching.
Context
Laaksonen's work emerged alongside significant cultural and political shifts in LGBTQ+ communities from the 1960s onward, influencing late 20th-century gay culture. His drawings were published in various magazines and other publications.
History & Provenance
The drawing is held by The Museum of Modern Art, indicating its recognition as a significant work within the artist's oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Artist
Touko Valio Laaksonen (8 May 1920 – 7 November 1991), known by his pseudonym Tom of Finland, was a Finnish artist who made stylized erotic art featuring suggestively hypermasculine male characters.
