The artwork titled “Roma,” created by Philip Guston in 1971, is an exemplary piece of the Neo-Expressionism art movement. Depicting a cityscape genre, the painting stands out with its distinctive style and expressive use of color.
In this artwork, Guston employs a rudimentary yet vivid approach, presenting an abstracted representation of a cityscape. The painting features a sequence of forms resembling trees and buildings, portrayed with bold, simplistic brushstrokes. Dominated by hues of red, black, and gray, the elements seem to emerge from what appears to be a brick wall or pathway, creating a rhythmic pattern. The abstracted trees and edifices exude a sense of whimsicality, which is characteristic of Guston’s later works. This deliberate naivety in execution emphasizes the artist’s shift towards a more raw and personal form of expression.
