Untitled
1914
crayon
From the collection of Museum of Modern Art
1914
crayon
From the collection of Museum of Modern Art
Untitled is a 1914 crayon by August Macke, held at Museum of Modern Art.
This sketch shows a woman walking on a tightrope high above the ground. Below her, a crowd watches from a dark, shadowy area. The sky is bright yellow with loose, swirling strokes, while the buildings and figures are painted in bold, flat colors—reds, blues, and greens—with quick, sketchy lines. The tightrope walker’s pose is simple but confident, with one arm stretched out for balance. The crowd looks tiny, almost like they’re watching from far below, which makes the height feel even more dramatic. If you like this loose, colorful style, check out chiaroscuro to see how other artists used light and shadow in different ways.
