Drawing for Shamen

Description

The application of tempera on vellum produces a textured surface on which the pigment is unevenly distributed, leaving areas where the white of the paper underneath is visible. The abstract form occupying the center of the picture space resembles an animal's paw. The merging of organic and geometric forms and the references to shamanism and the bestial imbue the image with a spirituality reminiscent of Native American beliefs. Bill Jensen's artwork is characterized by its transcendental quality. His drawings typically serve as studies for and after paintings, making this work a prime example of his working method and style.

Drawing for Shamen

Bill Jensen

1975–76

Accession Number

146887

Medium

Graphite frottage, and tempera on ivory tracing paper, hinged to heavy white wove paper

Dimensions

60.3 × 47.9 cm (23 3/4 × 18 7/8 in.)

Classification

graphite

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Lannan Foundation