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Bradley Walker Tomlin
American Art
On View:
To render the three-dimensional volume of the female form, Bradley Walker Tomlin created delicate tonal modulations by dragging and rubbing a Conté crayon across the textured surface of the paper. Intersecting Cubist planes, lightly sketched on the figure’s lower back, hint at an underlying abstract structure, while accents of watercolor around the figure add a decorative touch.
Best known for his mature Abstract Expressionist paintings, Tomlin destroyed much of his early work, of which Back is a rare surviving example.
Best known for his mature Abstract Expressionist paintings, Tomlin destroyed much of his early work, of which Back is a rare surviving example.
MEDIUM
Conté crayon and watercolor on medium, beige, moderately textured, laid paper paper with watermark
DATES
ca. 1925
DIMENSIONS
sheet: 11 1/2 × 11 5/16 in. (29.2 × 28.7 cm)
frame: 23 × 17 × 2 in. (58.4 × 43.2 × 5.1 cm) (show scale)
SIGNATURE
Signed in graphite, lower right: "Tomlin"
COLLECTIONS
American Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
25.520
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Frank L. Babbott
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Bradley Walker Tomlin (American, 1899–1953). Back, ca. 1925. Conté crayon and watercolor on medium, beige, moderately textured, laid paper paper with watermark, sheet: 11 1/2 × 11 5/16 in. (29.2 × 28.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Frank L. Babbott, 25.520 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 25.520_PS3.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 25.520_PS3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2011
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Orphaned work
After diligent research, the Museum is unable to locate contact information for the artist or artist's estate, or there are no known living heirs.
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