Bay of Naples 1961

Cy Twombly made this large painting called "Bay of Naples" with house paint and crayon on canvas. It’s like a big, beautiful, barely-there whisper. All these marks, scribbles, and drips create a kind of visual poem. I can imagine Twombly in his studio, maybe in Italy, surrounded by sun and history, just letting his hand move across the canvas. It’s not about representation; it’s about feeling. Look at that red slash near the bottom! It’s so decisive, but then it’s balanced by those soft, pastel smudges. The colors are like echoes of a dream, not quite solid, but full of emotion. He just lets the painting happen, layer upon layer. This kind of work reminds me that painting isn’t about perfection; it’s about the messy, beautiful process of thinking and feeling. Twombly’s paintings opened up new avenues for other painters – he reminds us to stay loose and trust our instincts.