Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a charcoal drawing by William Copley. It dates from 1965 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a 1965 charcoal drawing on paper by William Copley (known as CPLY), features a nude woman standing with her back to the viewer, set against a textured, patterned background and facing a similarly adorned chair.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a nude woman with curly hair, is rendered in simple yet curvaceous lines, contrasting with the intricate, geometric patterns of the chair and background, which may allude to the intersection of figural representation and abstract decoration characteristic of Copley's transitional style between Surrealism and Pop art.
Technique & Style
Copley employed charcoal to achieve a range of textures, from the soft, suggestive lines defining the woman's form to the dense, geometric patterns in the background and chair, demonstrating his ability to balance simplicity with complexity within a single composition.
History & Provenance
The drawing is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, reflecting its recognition within the context of mid-20th-century American art.
Artist & collection
Artist
William N. Copley (January 24, 1919 – May 7, 1996) also known as CPLY, was an American painter, writer, gallerist, collector, patron, publisher and art entrepreneur. His works as an artist have been classified as late…
