Untitled
1959
ink
From the collection of Museum of Modern Art
1959
ink
From the collection of Museum of Modern Art
This sketch shows quick, loose drawings of birds in mid-flight. Each bird is perched on a simple stand, like a tiny pedestal, and drawn with just ink lines. Some are spread out, others clustered—all look like they’re frozen in motion. Notice how the artist used lots of crisscrossed lines to fill in the shapes. It’s not just shading; it’s a way to build form with pure linework. Try looking up cross-hatching to see how this technique works in other art.