Nine Discourses on Commodus, Part III 1963

Cy Twombly’s 1963 painting “Nine Discourses on Commodus, Part III” is a striking example of his signature Abstract Expressionist style. The work utilizes a minimalist palette of red, white, and black, with gestural brushstrokes and splattered paint creating a dynamic and energetic composition. The painting is characterized by its visceral and emotional intensity, evoking a sense of raw energy and spontaneity. It is as though Twombly has captured a moment of uncontrolled action, leaving behind a record of his artistic process.