Untitled (Bull) 1973

Elaine de Kooning created this striking 'Untitled (Bull)' using bold brushstrokes. The dominating black form of the bull contrasts sharply with the surrounding hues, creating a dynamic interplay between the figure and its ground. De Kooning uses colour as a structural element; notice how the strokes of pink, lavender, and yellow are not merely decorative, but act as disruptive forces that both define and destabilize the central form. The bull, a classical symbol of power, is presented here in a fragmented state. The brushstrokes appear to be in conflict, challenging the viewer's perception of a solid, unified figure. The composition teeters between representation and abstraction. Consider how de Kooning engages with semiotics. By deconstructing the bull into a series of gestures and chromatic clashes, she avoids a fixed meaning and creates a space for constant re-evaluation. The bull's power is not diminished but translated, as de Kooning reinterprets classical motifs through a modern lens.