A Torso / Toxic Drawing

Romero Britto, 2011

MEDIUMAcrylic paint, colored pencil, and black fiber-tipped pen on collage of torn and stapled white wove paper
DIMENSIONS29.3 × 31.5 cm (11 9/16 × 12 7/16 in.)
LOCATIONArt Institute of Chicago
COLLECTIONPrints and Drawings
CULTUREUnited States
CREDIT LINEGift of Karen Lennox Gallery

Stop and examine this small but mighty artwork, "A Torso / Toxic Drawing," by Romero Britto. Its bold colors and collage technique create a lively, almost puzzle-like image of a human form, offering a unique take on pop art.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

This vibrant work, titled "A Torso / Toxic Drawing," immediately draws the eye with its riot of color and pattern. A headless, limbless torso, rendered in a mosaic of bright hues and bold lines, dominates the small composition. The figure is not anatomically realistic, but rather a playful, almost abstract form, pieced together from various patterned segments that suggest clothing or perhaps even internal organs reimagined as decorative elements. Look closely and you'll see the work is a collage, with torn and stapled pieces of white wove paper forming the base, over which acrylic paint, colored pencil, and black fiber-tipped pen have been applied. This layering of materials adds a tactile quality, making the surface as interesting as the image itself. The dynamic interplay of geometric shapes, stripes, and polka dots creates a sense of movement and energy, characteristic of the neo-pop and pop art movements.

LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

1

The visible staples holding the paper collage together.

2

The distinct patterns on each segment of the torso, like a patchwork quilt.

3

The bright, almost neon colors used for the figure.

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Audio Deep Dive

Stop and examine this small but mighty artwork, "A Torso / Toxic Drawing," by Romero Britto. Its bold colors and collage technique create a lively, almost puzz…

Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST
Romero Britto 1963 · Brazil

Romero Britto, the Brazilian neo-pop artist, transforms cubism and graffiti into vibrant expressions of joy, famously designing for Absolut Vodka and Disney.

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