The artwork “Leda and the Swan” by Cy Twombly was created in 1962. It is an abstract expressionist piece that employs oil paint, pencil, and crayon on canvas, measuring 190.5 by 200 cm. This work is part of a private collection and reflects Twombly’s unique abstract style, whereby he incorporates classical mythology into modern art.
The artwork is a dynamic interplay of form, color, and line. Twombly’s technique gives rise to a sense of chaotic energy and tactile expression, with scribbles, smears, and gestural marks that are characteristic of the artist’s work. The colors are vivid yet appear spontaneously applied, interacting with pencil lines and markings to create an abstract depiction that alludes to the mythological narrative of Leda and the Swan without presenting it in a figurative manner. The abstract nature of the work invites viewers to engage with the canvas on a more subjective and emotive level, deciphering the narrative through the interaction of the materials and their application.
