Untitled (Cup Man) by Keith Haring depicts a yellow figure bound by looping bands of red, dancing within the confines of its restraint against a vibrant turquoise ground. The work, one of Haring’s most popular, combines his vibrant use of colour and cartoon into a stand out piece.

As throughout his career, colour plays a central structural role within the image. The saturated yellow figure advances sharply against the cool turquoise background, while the red bindings create concentrated points of tension across the work. Along the lower edge, a purple band punctuated with black dots anchors the work and introduces a contrasting visual weight beneath the animated figure above.

Untitled (Cup Man) reduces the image to a small number of forms and colours, allowing gesture and contrast to carry the emotional force of the work. Rounded contours and uniformity give the work an immediate impact in a simple yet endearing image. Untitled (Cup Man) brings together movement, containment and visual rhythm within a tightly controlled piece that captures Haring’s working practice.

For more information or to buy Untitled (Cup Man) (Littmann PP. 116–117) by Keith Haring, contact our specialists using the enquiry button above.