Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a charcoal drawing by Willem de Kooning. It dates from 1965 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1965, this untitled work by Willem de Kooning consists of charcoal applied to paper that has been treated with a transparentizing medium. The drawing belongs to the artist’s extensive output of gestural abstractions produced during his mature period in the United States.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a female figure whose torso twists, head turned sideways, and arms lifted overhead. The loosely rendered lines convey a sense of motion, suggesting an exploration of the human form through dynamic, expressive gesture rather than precise representation.
Technique & Style
De Kooning employed charcoal to generate a broad tonal range, from deep blacks to delicate grays, while the transparentized paper adds a subtle luminosity and depth. The drawing’s bold, sweeping strokes exemplify the action‑painting approach characteristic of the New York School’s abstract expressionism.
History & Provenance
The piece originates from de Kooning’s post‑World War II period, when he was active alongside peers such as Jackson Pollock and Franz Kline. It reflects his ongoing engagement with spontaneous, gestural abstraction that defined his contribution to the New York School.
Artist & collection
Artist
Willem de Kooning ( də KOO-ning, Dutch: ; April 24, 1904 – March 19, 1997) was a Dutch-American abstract expressionist artist.
