Untitled (Study for Cubi VII)

This vibrant study, with its bold applications of spray enamel, pastel, and oil paint, offers a rare glimpse into the creative process behind one of David Smith's monumental stainless steel sculptures, Cubi VII. Here, abstract forms in black, blue, and ochre seem to dance across the cream paper, suggesting the interplay of light and shadow that would become central to the finished three-dimensional work. The rapid, almost calligraphic marks of pastel contrast with the softer, atmospheric effects of the spray enamel, hinting at the polished surfaces and reflective qualities of the future sculpture. This drawing is not merely a blueprint but a dynamic exploration of volume and space, capturing the energy and ambition of Smith's vision before it was translated into steel.