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Cy Twombly — Birth of Venus
Cy Twombly — Birth of Venus
Cy Twombly — Birth of Venus
Cy Twombly

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

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

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About this work

Cy Twombly, 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
33.5 x 35.7 cm
Year
1963
Signed
Hand-signed by the artist
Seen at
Christie's, London, United Kingdom

Related themes

20th Century, Mythological Subject, Renowned Artist, Male Artist, Mixed Media, Muted Tones, American Artist, Abstract Expressionism, Works on Paper, Gestural Drawing

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Collected by

David Chen, Rocky Lindt, Art Institute of Chicago, Alex Capecelatro