Anabasis (Xenophon) - Cy Twombly

A 1983 abstract work by Cy Twombly, combining raw gestural marks and text to evoke the historical narrative of Xenophon's Anabasis.

Cy Twombly created this work in 1983, drawing inspiration from the classical Greek text by Xenophon. The title, Anabasis, refers to the historical account of the march of the Ten Thousand, a narrative of military struggle and return. Twombly engages with this history through his characteristic gestural language, where text and mark-making occupy the same visual space.

The composition features the word 'ANABASIS' written in a raw, hand-drawn script at the top of the page. Below this, the artist employs a dense cluster of scribbled lines and circular forms. These marks suggest movement and chaotic energy, echoing the arduous journey described in the source text. Twombly uses a palette of dark, earthy tones punctuated by a singular, sharp stroke of red, which draws the eye toward the upper section of the central form.

His approach to the surface is immediate and unrefined. The graphite lines overlap with thicker oil stick applications, creating a sense of depth that is not reliant on traditional perspective. The work functions as a visual meditation on the act of recording history. By combining literary references with abstract expressionist techniques, Twombly avoids literal illustration. Instead, he captures the emotional weight of the narrative through rhythm and repetition. The negative space surrounding the central cluster allows the viewer to focus on the tension between the structured text and the fluid, energetic scribbles. This piece is a representative example of his later work, where historical themes are filtered through a highly personal and spontaneous aesthetic.