Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache drawing by Stuart Davis. It dates from 1938 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Stuart Davis's 1938 work, Untitled, is a gouache drawing that exemplifies his unique blend of modernist and urban themes. Created during the Great Depression, it showcases his involvement in federally sponsored art programs.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a fragmented cityscape, comprising buildings, flags, and letters, rearranged in a non-realistic composition. The presence of the Swedish flag and letters like 'C' and 'R' adds to the work's enigmatic quality, inviting interpretation.
Technique & Style
Davis employed a flat, two-dimensional style, eschewing shadows and depth in favor of bold, simplified forms. The use of gouache, a matte water-based paint, contributed to the work's graphic quality, with bright colors and black lines creating a dynamic visual tension.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edward Stuart Davis (December 7, 1892 – June 24, 1964) was an American modernist painter.
