The artwork titled “# 1 NYC” was created by artist William Saroyan in 1970. This piece is part of the Abstract Expressionism movement and belongs to the abstract genre.
The artwork consists of a collection of brushstrokes in varying colors, shapes, and sizes, spread across the canvas in an unstructured manner. The motifs include amorphous forms and undefined symbols rendered in vivid hues of red, orange, pink, green, blue, and black. The irregular, fluid nature of the brushwork instills a sense of spontaneity and movement. The canvas itself is a piece of stationery from The Royalton, a hotel located in New York City, giving the composition a unique, personal touch. William Saroyan’s notation “WS 11 12 70 NYC #1” appears at the bottom of the artwork, reflecting the date and context of its creation.
