Untitled

Untitled

John Piper

1950

oil

From the collection of Museum of Modern Art

About this work

This painting shows two figures standing close together, their backs to us. The person on the left wears a light-colored coat and hat, while the one on the right has a bright, glowing orange and pink sleeve. The background is dark with rough, patchy textures—like wet pavement or cracked stone—and a shadowy building looms above them. The bright sleeve stands out sharply against the muted colors, drawing your eye. The artist used thick, uneven brushstrokes that make the scene feel rough and textured. This painting uses the technique called impasto.

More by John Piper

Artifact World Gallery — 100,000 artworks Get the app