Leda and the Swan - Cy Twombly

A 1962 abstract composition by Cy Twombly, interpreting the classical myth of Leda and the Swan through gestural marks and raw, expressive energy.

Cy Twombly produced this work in 1962, during a period of residence in Rome. The composition engages with the classical myth of Leda and the Swan, a subject frequently explored in Western art history. Rather than providing a literal depiction of the narrative, Twombly employs a gestural, semiotic approach to mark-making. The canvas is populated by a dense network of scribbles, erasures, and frantic graphite lines that suggest the violent energy of the encounter.

Patches of red oil paint punctuate the monochromatic field, providing a visceral quality to the surface. These marks operate as a form of visual shorthand, where the physical act of drawing becomes the primary subject. The work rejects traditional perspective and figurative clarity, opting instead for a raw, immediate record of the artist's movement across the surface. Twombly often integrated literary and mythological references into his practice, using them as a framework to explore the limits of representation. By stripping away the narrative details, he focuses on the emotional and physical intensity inherent in the myth. The result is a composition that feels both chaotic and controlled, reflecting the artist's interest in the intersection of ancient history and modern abstraction. This print captures the texture and layered quality of the original materials, preserving the spontaneity of the graphite and the deliberate application of colour.