Untitled

Untitled

James Rosenquist

1985

pastel

From the collection of Museum of Modern Art

About this work

This drawing shows a close-up of a giant, empty beer can. The can’s silver sides gleam, while its dark top looks like a deep, murky liquid. On the right, a hand holds the can by its tab, which is pulled slightly upward. The background is mostly black, with some faint lines that look like they’re radiating outward. The artist used soft charcoal and pastel to make the metal look smooth and the liquid inside look thick and dark. The hand holding the can is simple but adds a sense of scale—it makes the can look huge. If you like this style, check out pastel to see how artists use it for both soft and bold effects.

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