


Birth of Venus
1963
A swirling, gestural composition of looping lines and scrawled marks evokes the mythological emergence of Venus through an entirely visceral and abstract lens. Twombly layers wax crayon, graphite, and ballpoint pen to create a turbulent yet sensuous energy, where fragmented text and fluid strokes replace classical imagery with raw, poetic expression. The work embodies Twombly's signature fusion of ancient mythology and childlike mark-making, transforming the timeless narrative of divine birth into an urgent, almost feverish visual language.
- Medium
- wax crayon, graphite and ballpoint pen on paper
- Dimensions
- Signed
- Yes
- Spotted At
- Auction House · Christie's
Notes
LITERATURE R. Leeman, Cy Twombly: Peindre, Dessiner, Ecrire, 2004, p. 314 (illustré en couleurs p. 141). N. Del Roscio, Cy Twombly Drawings, Catalogue Raisonné, Vol. 3 1961-1963, New York, 2013, No. 281 (illustré en couleurs p. 197). EXHIBITED Paris, Galerie Di Meo, Twombly, septembre-décembre 1989, p. 65, No. 9 (illustré en couleurs au catalogue d'exposition p. 41). Conditions of sale Brought to you by Elisabetta Vitullo Junior Specialist, Head of Day Sale EVITULLO@CHRISTIES.COM +33 (0)1 40 76 85 68
🔨 Auction Lot
Art Contemporain
Lot 290
More by Cy Twombly
Collectors of Cy Twombly
Also spotted by
Start the Discussion
Request access to join the discussion