Head II

1969

Philip Guston

Associated Names
Philip Guston

Artist, American, born Canada, 1913 - 1980

The image shows a drawing of a figure seen from the mid-torso up. The person is facing slightly to the viewer's right, with their head turned towards the viewer. Facial features are visible through holes in a pointed hood-like covering over their head. The drawing uses bold, sketchy black lines on a textured, light brown background. The clothing appears loose-fitting and draped, with dark strokes indicating folds or shading. There is no visible jewelry or objects held by the figure. The background is plain, emphasizing the central figure. The artwork is signed "Philip Guston '69" in the lower right corner.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    charcoal on wove paper mounted to board

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Edward R. Broida

  • Dimensions

    overall: 60.5 x 45.5 cm (23 13/16 x 17 15/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2005.142.55

More About this Artwork

Video:  How Artist Philip Guston Became an Ally

New York Times art critic Aruna D’Souza discusses Philip Guston's 1969 work Head II.


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(David McKee Inc., New York); purchased January 1983 by Edward R. Broida, Los Angeles; gift 2005 to NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1978

  • Philip Guston: Drawings 1947-1977, McKee Gallery, NY, 1978.

2006

  • Selections from the Collection of Edward R. Broida, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2006, unnumbered brochure.

2009

  • In the Tower: Philip Guston, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 2009-2010, no cat.

2022

  • Philip Guston Now, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC; Tate Modern, London, 2022-2024, no. 117 (shown only in Washington).

Inscriptions

"Philip Guston '69", lower right margin, pen and black ink, artist's hand.

Markings

None.

Watermarks

None.

Wikidata ID

Q64619428

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