Cy Twombly’s “Summer Madness” is a vivid abstract expressionist work crafted in 1990. The artwork is an amalgamation of oil, gouache, pencil, and crayon on paper, measuring 150 by 126 centimeters. As an exemplar of abstract art, it currently resides in a private collection. The creation of this piece took place in Bassano In Teverina, Italy.
The artwork displays a dynamic and impulsive proliferation of colors and marks that burst forth from a central point on the canvas. Dabs and strokes of reds, yellows, and darker hues are spread outward, suggesting an almost floral or solar motif yet remaining resolutely non-representational. The use of various materials has contributed to a rich texture and depth, with each medium bringing its own quality to the composition. Cy Twombly’s distinctive scrawled pencil markings can be seen meandering across the background, adding a layer of written elements to the visual intensity of the piece. It is an exemplar of Twombly’s signature style, characterized by gestural brushwork and the integration of scribbled text, which resonates with themes of classical antiquity and poetry, though interpreted through the lens of modern abstraction.
