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Untitled

William Allan

1972

watercolor

From the collection of Museum of Modern Art

Contemporary

Dominant colour

Untitled is a 1972 watercolor by William Allan, held at Museum of Modern Art.

Who painted this?: William Allan
When & what style?: 1972
Where can I see it?: Museum of Modern Art

About this work

You see a close-up of a trout’s head, floating against a pale, wet background. The fish’s eye is dark and glossy, its gills a soft pink. Allan painted this in Montana, where he spent time fishing. The watercolor lets the paper show through, so the fish looks like it’s dissolving into the stream. It’s quiet, almost like a memory. If you like how watercolor can feel light and loose, look up the technique called glazing.