Twelve Men
1921
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1921
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Twelve Men is a 1921 ink by Arthur Bowen Davies, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows twelve naked men in quick, sketchy lines. Some stand tall, others lean or stretch. Their bodies are simple shapes—just enough to tell you who’s who. The lines are loose, like they were drawn fast. Look closer: the artist used dark ink for heads and hands, making them stand out. The rest fades into light gray, almost like a shadow. Want to know more? Try lithography—it’s the printing method used here.
