About This Artwork

David Smith
American, 1906-1965

Untitled (Study for Cubi VII), 1963

Black, blue and ochre spray enamel with black pastel and white oil paint on cream laid paper
408 x 297 mm (max.)
Restricted gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Delaney, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Delaney Fund, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Delaney Endowment, 2006.260

Art © Estate of David Smith / Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY

Untitled (1963) is a study for the Art Institute’s stainless-steel sculpture Cubi VII (1963), which presently sits in the North Garden. The strength and weight of Cubi VII are counteracted by the awe-inspiring balance of its forms, leaving the viewer marveling at the dichotomy between material and form. David Smith’s untitled spray drawing, however, tells a much different story about the artist’s methodology. The drawing evinces Smith’s careful planning and selective juxtaposition of the geometric shapes that characterize the Cubi series. Moreover, it allows the viewer to appreciate both Smith’s technique as a sculptor and his skill as a draftsman on a more intimate, elemental level.