Le Metro

1949

John Wilson

Associated Names
John Wilson

Artist, American, 1922 - 2015

The image displays bold, thick lines and geometric shapes intersecting and overlapping to create depth and complexity. Cylindrical shapes resembling human figures are depicted, suggestive of passengers in a crowded space. The color palette includes contrasting hues of blue, green, brown, and red. Recognizable forms such as a hand gripping a pole, faces with minimal details, and parcel-like shapes in hands are visible, hinting at a bustling commute.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    opaque watercolor on heavyweight wove watercolor paper

  • Credit Line

    Avalon Fund

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 42.2 × 33.6 cm (16 5/8 × 13 1/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2022.27.7

  • Copyright

    © The Estate of John Wilson

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Estate of the artist; purchased by NGA, 2022

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2026

  • Witnessing Humanity: The Art of John Wilson, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2025-2026, fig. 51, repro.

Bibliography

2025

  • Farrell, Jennifer, King-Hammond, Leslie, Murphy, Patrick and Saywell, Edward. John Wilson: Witnessing Humanity. Exh. cat. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2025-2026: 70, 73, fig. 51.

Inscriptions

"Wilson 1949" lower right margin, sideways.

Markings

None.

Watermarks

None.

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