Untitled (Study for "The Plow and the Song") c. 1944

Arshile Gorky's "Untitled (Study for 'The Plow and the Song')" is a 1944 study for his iconic painting of the same name, exploring a similar theme of human suffering and resilience. The drawing is characterized by its abstract forms, gestural lines, and the use of both organic and geometric shapes, representing the artist’s exploration of surrealism and abstract expressionism. The gridded background suggests the artist's use of geometric structure as a foundation for his organic forms. Gorky's exploration of color and form in this study is a testament to his creative process and his lasting influence on Abstract Expressionism.