Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a charcoal drawing by Willem de Kooning. It dates from 1950 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a 1950 drawing by Willem de Kooning, a Dutch-American artist associated with the New York School. The work combines enamel and charcoal on paper mounted on canvas.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a blocky figure wearing a top hat and glasses, set against a vibrant red background. The figure's face is simplified, while its body appears stiff and angular, conveying a sense of raw energy.
Technique & Style
De Kooning's use of enamel and charcoal creates a dynamic contrast between thick, textured paint and thin, scratchy lines. The bold colors and uneven strokes reflect the artist's gestural approach, characteristic of abstract expressionism.
Context
Untitled is a product of the postwar New York art scene, a period marked by experimentation and innovation. De Kooning's work was influenced by his contemporaries, including Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner.
Artist & collection
Artist
Willem de Kooning ( də KOO-ning, Dutch: ; April 24, 1904 – March 19, 1997) was a Dutch-American abstract expressionist artist.
