Not sure how to look at a Cy Twombly painting? Here are 3 clues: 1️⃣ Illegible by design — Twombly’s marks aren’t meant to be read like text. Instead, they evoke mood, memory, and the passage of time. After moving to Italy in the 1950s, he drew inspiration from the weathered walls of ancient buildings and the layered scratches, drips, and scrapes of graffiti. 2️⃣ Poetry & myth — A voracious reader, Twombly filled his works with references to poetry and classical myths. Keep an eye on his titles or scrawled words—sometimes he quotes poets and philosophers directly. 3️⃣ A different path — While artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning championed Abstract Expressionism, Twombly carved out his own style. It took time, but he eventually became recognized for his unique, contemporary voice. Take a closer look at his large-scale paintings on Floor 4—you might start to “read” them in your own way. #SFMOMA #CyTwombly