Charles Demuth’s I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold is a striking example of precisianism, an early American modernist movement that emphasised sharp lines and industrial themes. Created in 1928, this work was inspired by a poem by William Carlos Williams, The Great Figure, which describes the sight of a red fire truck speeding through a rainy city street with the number "5" emblazoned on it. Demuth masterfully conveys this imagery through overlapping geometric forms and a vibrant colour scheme, evoking the energy of urban life and modernity. This iconic painting stands as a tribute to both poetry and the visual impact of numbers and symbols in contemporary culture.
1928
Artist: Charles Demuth (1883–1935) Medium: Oil, graphite, ink, and gold leaf on paperboard Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
