Screaming Head

Félix González-Torres

MEDIUMPen and black ink, with brush and gray wash, over graphite on off-white laid paper
DIMENSIONS31.6 × 24 cm (12 1/2 × 9 1/2 in.)
LOCATIONArt Institute of Chicago
COLLECTIONPrints and Drawings
CULTURESpain
CREDIT LINEWilliam McCallin McKee Memorial Endowment

This powerful drawing by Félix González-Torres captures a raw, screaming head with striking simplicity, using bold ink and wash to evoke intense emotion and universal human experience.

Get the full experience in Art Whisper
Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store
ABOUT THIS WORK

A stark, almost primal image, this drawing captures a head in the throes of an intense scream. The figure's features are distorted, rendered with bold strokes of pen and black ink, while gray wash adds a haunting depth to the form. The artist uses a minimalist approach, focusing entirely on the emotional impact of the subject, allowing the raw energy of the expression to dominate the off-white paper. This work draws on the expressive power of drawing, where line and tone alone convey a profound sense of anguish or release. The dramatic contrast between light and shadow amplifies the feeling of urgency, making the viewer acutely aware of the internal turmoil or external shock that might provoke such a cry. It's a powerful example of how a simple subject can evoke complex human emotion.

LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

1

The wide-open mouth, a dark void suggesting the force of the scream.

2

The eyes, reduced to simple, dark shapes, yet conveying deep distress.

3

The rough, almost frenzied ink lines defining the head and neck.

1 more detail waiting — unlock in Art Whisper
Audio Deep Dive

This powerful drawing by Félix González-Torres captures a raw, screaming head with striking simplicity, using bold ink and wash to evoke intense emotion and un…

Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST
Félix González-Torres 1957–1996 · Cuba

Félix González-Torres transformed everyday objects like light bulbs and wrapped candies into profound meditations on love, loss, and public engagement.

Read Félix's full story in Art Whisper
See something wrong?
Open the App