Untitled

Untitled

Raymond Pettibon

1987

ink

From the collection of Museum of Modern Art

About this work

This drawing shows a person with long hair, sitting in a dark room. They’re holding a candle in one hand and a book or paper in the other. The background is mostly black, with a small window letting in a sliver of light. The lines are thick and wavy, giving everything a rough, sketchy feel. The text around the edges reads like a poem or warning: *"Sweet Ether. To be safe, fall asleep while praying."* It sounds like advice—or maybe a caution—about faith and danger. If you like this style, look up cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with lines.

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