Untitled
1954
graphite
From the collection of Museum of Modern Art
1954
graphite
From the collection of Museum of Modern Art
You see a human skull drawn in pencil on plain paper. The lines are light, almost hesitant, like the artist was feeling his way. Beuys made this when he was still unknown, years before he became famous for performances with felt and fat. The skull isn’t dramatic—just a quiet study, as if he was practicing seeing. Look up the technique of cross-hatching next.
![Study for "Shoeing Calvary Horses at the Front" [verso]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/6f6d1a163e84e9ab/thumb.webp)
![Study for "Greek Girls Bathing" [verso]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/ed81f42a8bac4300/thumb.webp)
