Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a watercolor drawing by Charles Demuth. It dates from 1919 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a drawing by Charles Demuth, created in 1919 using watercolor and pencil on paper. It is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a cyclist in motion, leaning forward over a bicycle with large wheels. A large, yellow, winged form dominates the upper part of the composition, potentially symbolizing the sun or a benevolent presence.
Technique & Style
The watercolor technique used allows for layered, translucent washes, contributing to the dreamlike quality of the image. The background is rendered in loose, sketchy lines, suggesting a cityscape or map.
Context
The blurred face of the cyclist conveys a sense of speed and dynamism, while the juxtaposition of the cyclist with the large, winged figure creates a sense of contrast between the mundane and the symbolic.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Henry Buckius Demuth (November 8, 1883 – October 23, 1935) was an American painter who specialized in watercolors and turned to oils late in his career, developing a style of painting known as Precisionism.
