Torchlight Cave Drawing I (1985) by Elaine de Kooning

Torchlight Cave Drawing I - Elaine de Kooning - 1985

Artwork Information

TitleTorchlight Cave Drawing I
ArtistElaine de Kooning
Date1985
Art MovementAbstract Expressionism

About Torchlight Cave Drawing I

The artwork you’re inquiring about is “Torchlight Cave Drawing I,” created by artist Elaine de Kooning in 1985. As a piece rooted in Abstract Expressionism, this work is part of the animal painting genre and evokes the primitive and energetic qualities associated with the movement.

In describing the artwork, one is struck by its stark, high-contrast presentation, which appears to mimic the effects of light and shadow one might experience with torchlight, as the name suggests. This technique gives the drawing an almost tactile quality, as if the image is illuminated from behind. The subject seems to be an animal, possibly a bull, as defined by the rough, bold outlines that convey its form. Its figure dominates the space, filling it with a sense of movement and raw energy that’s typical of de Kooning’s style. The simplicity of the lines and the choice of a monochromatic palette lend the work a timeless quality, similar to that of actual prehistoric cave drawings, which likely served as inspiration.

Other Artwork from Elaine de Kooning

More Abstract Expressionism Artwork

Scroll to Top