Lepanto, Part XI 2001

Cy Twombly made Lepanto, Part XI, a large-scale painting, using oil, acrylic, and graphite on canvas. There is an expressive openness to Twombly’s approach to artmaking; the colors, mostly red and yellow, drip down the canvas like rain or tears. The surface of the canvas is raw and exposed; you can almost feel the texture of the linen. See how the red paint runs in rivulets at the bottom of the painting; it’s like blood mixing with water. This resonates with the historical context of the Battle of Lepanto, a bloody naval battle in 1571. The painting has a looseness to it, like a sketch, but these raw gestures speak volumes. Looking at Cy Twombly, I’m reminded of Joan Mitchell. It’s like they’re both tapping into something primal and elemental in the act of painting itself. Art is an ongoing conversation, an exploration of color, texture, and emotion that continues to evolve across time.