A humorous and provocative mid-century ink and watercolor drawing on vellum, “FART!” features a stylized reclining nude rendered with exaggerated curvilinear forms, bold contour lines, and a comic-style speech bubble. This collectible work blends pop art humor, erotic illustration, retro graphic design, and underground comic influences, making it ideal for collectors of outsider art, counterculture drawings, pop-era satire, and unique mid-century figurative works discovered in New York City.
This striking 11×14 vellum drawing combines figural illustration, pop art sensibility, and irreverent humor. The central subject is a voluptuous nude woman with flame-red hair, her body positioned in a curled, intimate pose reminiscent of both classical reclining nudes and 1970s underground comic aesthetics. Her skin is shaded using mottled watercolor textures, giving the figure dimensional warmth and a tactile, hand-rendered quality.
The background features a repeating geometric circle motif—an echo of mid-century wallpaper and mod textile design—juxtaposed against deep black negative space. From the upper right corner emerges a comic-style speech bubblecontaining the single word “FART!”, transforming the otherwise sensual composition into a playful, subversive commentary on eroticism, vulnerability, and the human body.
The work is executed on vellum, a choice that provides smooth, luminous surface quality and allows ink and watercolor to sit sharply on the page, enhancing the graphic clarity of the linework. The absence of a visible signature suggests either an anonymous illustrator, a student work from a mid-century art program, or a piece originating from New York’s rich tradition of underground comics, artist collectives, and countercultural studios.
Overall, the piece embodies the era’s fearless experimentation, blending sexual frankness, humor, pop culture, and stylized figuration into a memorable and highly collectible artwork.
Throughout the mid-20th century—especially between the 1960s and 1980s—many artists in New York City produced experimental drawings that merged pop art, underground comics, erotica, and satirical illustration. Such works were often created by:
students at major art schools such as Cooper Union, SVA, and Pratt
independent illustrators working in magazines, advertising, cartoons, and pulp publishing
artists aligned with the underground comix movement, influenced by R. Crumb, Bill Griffith, Trina Robbins, and the East Village counterculture
experimental draftsmen exploring body politics, humor, and anti-establishment commentary
Anonymous or unsigned pieces like this commonly circulated through:
East Village artist communities
underground zines
alternative galleries and pop-up shows
personal sketchbooks and portfolios
satirical or erotic publications
Artists working in this style typically embraced:
bold contour lines
exaggerated anatomy
comic-strip speech bubbles
humor as social critique
hand-colored effects using ink, marker, or watercolor on smooth surfaces such as vellum or bristol
While the creator remains unknown, the artwork clearly belongs to a vibrant lineage of mid-century figurative satire and pop-influenced illustration, reflecting the cultural freedom and artistic rebellion of New York’s creative scene.
Unknown Artist (20th century), “FART!” (attributed), ink & watercolor on vellum, 11×14 in., unsigned. Humorous mid-century illustration of a reclining nude with pop-art speech bubble; acquired in NYC.
CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Artist: Unknown Artist (20th century)
Title: “FART!” (attributed)
Date: c. 1960s–1980s
Medium: Ink and watercolor on vellum
Dimensions: 11 × 14 inches
Signature: Unsigned
Description: Stylized reclining nude with comic-style speech bubble; pop art and underground illustration influences; acquired in New York City.
Condition: Very good; minor age toning typical for vellum; stable pigments.
Authentication Basis:
Stylistic analysis, period materials, vellum substrate, and thematic qualities consistent with mid-century pop-influenced figurative and comic-style drawing.
Unknown Artist, U.S. (likely NYC area)
Private Collection, New York City
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC — Current Owner
A humorous and provocative mid-century ink and watercolor drawing on vellum, “FART!” features a stylized reclining nude rendered with exaggerated curvilinear forms, bold contour lines, and a comic-style speech bubble. This collectible work blends pop art humor, erotic illustration, retro graphic design, and underground comic influences, making it ideal for collectors of outsider art, counterculture drawings, pop-era satire, and unique mid-century figurative works discovered in New York City.
This striking 11×14 vellum drawing combines figural illustration, pop art sensibility, and irreverent humor. The central subject is a voluptuous nude woman with flame-red hair, her body positioned in a curled, intimate pose reminiscent of both classical reclining nudes and 1970s underground comic aesthetics. Her skin is shaded using mottled watercolor textures, giving the figure dimensional warmth and a tactile, hand-rendered quality.
The background features a repeating geometric circle motif—an echo of mid-century wallpaper and mod textile design—juxtaposed against deep black negative space. From the upper right corner emerges a comic-style speech bubblecontaining the single word “FART!”, transforming the otherwise sensual composition into a playful, subversive commentary on eroticism, vulnerability, and the human body.
The work is executed on vellum, a choice that provides smooth, luminous surface quality and allows ink and watercolor to sit sharply on the page, enhancing the graphic clarity of the linework. The absence of a visible signature suggests either an anonymous illustrator, a student work from a mid-century art program, or a piece originating from New York’s rich tradition of underground comics, artist collectives, and countercultural studios.
Overall, the piece embodies the era’s fearless experimentation, blending sexual frankness, humor, pop culture, and stylized figuration into a memorable and highly collectible artwork.
Throughout the mid-20th century—especially between the 1960s and 1980s—many artists in New York City produced experimental drawings that merged pop art, underground comics, erotica, and satirical illustration. Such works were often created by:
students at major art schools such as Cooper Union, SVA, and Pratt
independent illustrators working in magazines, advertising, cartoons, and pulp publishing
artists aligned with the underground comix movement, influenced by R. Crumb, Bill Griffith, Trina Robbins, and the East Village counterculture
experimental draftsmen exploring body politics, humor, and anti-establishment commentary
Anonymous or unsigned pieces like this commonly circulated through:
East Village artist communities
underground zines
alternative galleries and pop-up shows
personal sketchbooks and portfolios
satirical or erotic publications
Artists working in this style typically embraced:
bold contour lines
exaggerated anatomy
comic-strip speech bubbles
humor as social critique
hand-colored effects using ink, marker, or watercolor on smooth surfaces such as vellum or bristol
While the creator remains unknown, the artwork clearly belongs to a vibrant lineage of mid-century figurative satire and pop-influenced illustration, reflecting the cultural freedom and artistic rebellion of New York’s creative scene.
Unknown Artist (20th century), “FART!” (attributed), ink & watercolor on vellum, 11×14 in., unsigned. Humorous mid-century illustration of a reclining nude with pop-art speech bubble; acquired in NYC.
CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Artist: Unknown Artist (20th century)
Title: “FART!” (attributed)
Date: c. 1960s–1980s
Medium: Ink and watercolor on vellum
Dimensions: 11 × 14 inches
Signature: Unsigned
Description: Stylized reclining nude with comic-style speech bubble; pop art and underground illustration influences; acquired in New York City.
Condition: Very good; minor age toning typical for vellum; stable pigments.
Authentication Basis:
Stylistic analysis, period materials, vellum substrate, and thematic qualities consistent with mid-century pop-influenced figurative and comic-style drawing.
Unknown Artist, U.S. (likely NYC area)
Private Collection, New York City
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC — Current Owner
