Cy Twombly

Description: (American Painter, Sculptor and Photographer Known for His Graffiti-Style Paintings and for Large-Scale Works)

Edwin Parker ‘Cy’ Twombly, Jr. was a renowned American painter and sculptor. Born in Lexington, Virginia, the most important individual who inspired him in his formative years was the Spanish artist, Pierre Daura. After receiving formal training in art from Pierre Daura and other different noteworthy art and museum schools, he took up painting professionally. He developed an interest in German Expressionism, Dadaism, and Soutine's work. He also took up sculpting and made statuette from discarded materials. Most of his works were inspired by his sponsored tours to Europe and Africa. He worked as a cryptologist in the U.S. Army for a brief period as well. This job influenced his artistic style and became his trademark medium. He started with effortless graphic marks, and soon created a meta-script which used abridged signs, numbers and uncomplicated hieroglyphs. His work demonstrated an amalgamation of poignant expansiveness and scholarly sophistication, and an immeasurable preoccupation with cultural memory. His paintings, drawings and sculptures based on the theme of mythology are an important fragment of that cultural memory. Together with Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns, he is regarded as one of the chief artists who detached himself from Abstract Expressionism.

Overview

Birthday April 25, 1928 (Taurus)
Alternative names Edwin Parker Twombly Jr.
Died on July 5, 2011
Parents

Did you know

What is Cy Twombly known for in the art world? Cy Twombly is known for his abstract and expressive paintings that often feature scribbles, lines, and symbols.
What influenced Cy Twombly's artistic style? Cy Twombly's artistic style was influenced by a variety of sources, including classical mythology, poetry, and his own emotional experiences.
How did Cy Twombly's work contribute to the development of contemporary art? Cy Twombly's work is considered to have played a significant role in the development of contemporary art, particularly in the realm of abstract expressionism and minimalism.
Where can you find Cy Twombly's artwork exhibited? Cy Twombly's artwork can be found in major museums and galleries around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London.
What was Cy Twombly's approach to color in his paintings? Cy Twombly often used a muted color palette in his paintings, with subtle variations and delicate tones that contributed to the overall emotional impact of his work.
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