Untitled

Untitled

Norman Lewis

1949

oil

From the collection of Museum of Modern Art

About this work

This painting is messy and layered, with thick brushstrokes of dark browns, reds, and whites. Shapes blur together—some look like faces, others like figures standing in a crowd. The colors feel rough, almost scratched into the canvas, with patches of bright red and pale yellow peeking through. The faces in the background are faint, almost hidden, while the central figure stands out with a red robe or cloak. The whole scene feels chaotic but intentional, like the artist built it up in stages. This style is called *impasto*—try looking up how artists use thick paint layers to create texture.

More by Norman Lewis

Artifact World Gallery — 100,000 artworks Get the app