“Study for The Liver is the Cock’s Comb” is a sketch executed by Arshile Gorky in 1943, belonging to the Abstract Expressionism movement. This artwork is currently housed at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles, California, United States. The piece is a preparatory study exploring compositional and thematic elements that Gorky later incorporated into his larger works within this genre.
The artwork presents a complex and dynamic composition characterized by a series of abstract forms and shapes. These forms are imbued with vibrant splashes of color, primarily red, blue, and yellow, set against a neutral background. Gorky’s fluid lines intermingle and intersect, creating an intricate tapestry of organic and anthropomorphic figures. The use of sketch-like strokes suggests an energetic and spontaneous execution, typical of a study or preparatory work. This piece reflects the artist’s profound engagement with abstraction and his exploration of emotional and psychological themes through non-representational forms.