The Figure 5 in Gold (1928) by Charles Demuth

The Figure 5 in Gold - Charles Demuth - 1928

All Artwork Images

Artwork Information

TitleThe Figure 5 in Gold
ArtistCharles Demuth
Date1928
MediumOil on Paper
Dimensions90.2 x 76.2 cm
Art MovementPrecisionism
Current LocationMetropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, NY, US
Order a Custom Print of this Artwork!

About The Figure 5 in Gold

The Figure 5 in Gold is a painting created by American painter Charles Demuth in 1928, as a tribute to his friend, William Carlos Williams. It is considered one of Demuth’s most famous works and a great example of Precisionism, the style of painting he developed.

The artwork is a visual representation of Williams’ poem, The Great Figure. The number five is depicted in gold, divided into rectangles and triangles that reflect light and change the color of space and shapes. This creates a sense of movement within the painting’s warring pressure lines of darkness and lamplight.

The painting has become an iconic piece within the art world with Robert Indiana recreating it several years later as The Figure Five. It has been used on various book covers such as Uncle Petros and Goldbach’s Conjecture (1992) making it globally recognized by those who appreciate modern art. Today, visitors can view Demuth’s paintings at his museum located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where they get an opportunity to see how he self-expressed through this Precisionist form during his life span.

Other Artwork from Charles Demuth

More Precisionism Artwork

Scroll to Top