Bill Jensen
American, born 1945
Drawing for Shamen
INV-1468
Bill Jensen
American, born 19451975–76
Drawing for Shamen
Bill Jensen American, born 1945 →graphitedrawings (visual works)
Date
1975–76
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.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Lannan Foundation
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.
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