Untitled

Untitled

Alfred Kubin

1900

watercolor

From the collection of Museum of Modern Art

About this work

This painting shows a floating skull with a faint, ghostly smile above a draped shape that looks like a body sitting in a chair. The background is nearly all black, making the skull and the chair stand out. Below, a row of small, shadowy figures huddle together in the dark. The artist used watercolor and ink to create a spooky, dreamlike feel—soft edges and muted colors add to the eerie mood. The empty space around the skull makes it feel like it’s watching you. Check out how the artist used watercolor, glazing to build up those haunting tones.

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