The Fugitive 1936

This is William Ashby McCloy’s drawing *The Fugitive*. The eye is drawn to a central figure rendered in graphite, seemingly suspended between worlds, perhaps caught in a moment of desperate flight. The drawing’s composition is dominated by curvilinear forms, where the figure is framed by shadowy, amorphous shapes. Notice the hands and faces emerging from the background. They create a sense of confinement, and suggest a psychological space of anxiety and pursuit. McCloy’s handling of light and shadow adds to this effect, with contrasts that create a sense of unease. The title "The Fugitive" suggests a narrative of escape, yet the figure's static pose introduces ambiguity. Is the figure fleeing or merely caught? This tension between movement and stasis invites reflection on themes of freedom, entrapment, and the human condition. The artwork destabilizes conventional notions of space and identity by positioning the figure in a liminal zone.