Art Theory Text with Sketch 1952

Curator: Here we have a sketch by Stuart Davis titled "Art Theory Text with Sketch," created sometime during his career. It’s currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I feel a sense of playful intellectualism. The scrawled text above the geometric doodle gives it a very raw, almost rebellious energy. Curator: Davis was deeply interested in the relationship between language and visual art. His notes here regarding drawing are connected to "V.P. decisions," suggesting a focus on visual perception and its structuring role. Editor: For me, the sketch feels like a visual exploration of his words. It's like he's diagramming his thought process, turning abstract concepts into tangible forms. Curator: Precisely. The materials – paper and ink – are straightforward, but the conceptual density is rich. It shows a process of translating ideas into artistic form, emphasizing the intellectual labor behind art-making. Editor: I agree. It is like Davis is inviting us into his workshop of thought. I leave this encounter feeling a renewed sense of artistic possibility!