Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Flying Carpet

Stuart Davis, 1942

Name Class Date
Stuart Davis, Flying Carpet (1942). Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder.

The facts

Artist
Stuart Davis wikioo.org/en/artists/stuart-davis/
Artist’s dates
1892 – 1964
Painted
1942
Original size
216 x 305 cm

Copyright This work is still under copyright. Stuart Davis died in 1964; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2034. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Source: WikiOO.org — accessed Sept. 12, 2026

Flying Carpet — Stuart Davis Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Flying Carpet — Stuart Davis

How big is it?

The original measures 216 × 305 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height. It is too large to draw to scale on this page.

When was this painted?

  1. 1890
  2. 1900
  3. 1910
  4. 1920
  5. 1930
  6. 1940
  7. 1950
  8. 1960

Row above: the year. Row below: the artist's age in that year.

Painted when the artist was 50. The artist lived to 72. 19 of the 26 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Stuart Davis (1892–1964) ▲ this work, 1942

First works: up to 1924 Main working years: 1924–1942 Late works: from 1942

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell.

Compare with

  • Odol wikioo.org/en/art/stuart-davis-odol-8LT7WX-en/
  • Rocks, Gloucester, 1915 wikioo.org/en/art/stuart-davis-rocks-gloucester-D4QFBD-en/
  • The Mellow Pad wikioo.org/en/art/stuart-davis-the-mellow-pad-8LT7Z3-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: wikioo.org/en/art/similar/stuart-davis-flying-carpet-AS7URD-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Driftwood #978566

    Catalogued palette

    • #978566
    • #241B15
    • #EEEBE6
    • #6D6042
    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Driftwood
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Bold How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Stuart Davis over the last twelve months — 6 countries in all.

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 81.0%
    2. 2 Sweden 7.1%
    3. 3 United States of America 4.8%
    4. 4 Croatia 2.4%
    5. 5 South Korea 2.4%
    6. 6 Netherlands 2.4%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Stuart Davis

    1. 1 Visa 1 6.7%
    2. 2 Garage No. 1, 1917 4.4%
    3. 3 Study for ''Blips and Ifs'' 4.4%
    4. 4 Odol 2.2%
    5. 5 The Mellow Pad 2.2%
    6. 6 Impression of the New York World's Fair (mural study, Communications Building, World's Fair, Flushing, New York), 1938 2.2%
    7. 7 Waterfront Landscape, 1936 2.2%
    8. 8 Composition, 1935 2.2%
    9. 9 Hot Still-Scape for Six Colors. Seventh Avenue Style 2.2%
    10. 10 T View, 1951 2.2%
    11. 11 The Terminal, 1937 2.2%
    12. 12 Newark, 1910 2.2%
    13. 13 Int'l Surface No. 1, 1960 2.2%
    14. 14 Ana 2.2%
    15. 15 Gloucester Terraces 2.2%
    16. 16 Flying Carpet, 1942 this painting 2.2%
    17. 17 Studio interior 2.2%
    18. 18 Textile with Liquor and Prohibition Motifs 2.2%
    19. 19 Report from Rockport 2.2%
    20. 20 Waterfront Landscape 2.2%

    Together these works take 52.9% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 167 works by this artist, of which 41 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 16 of them, with 2.2% of that attention.

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: WikiOO.org — accessed Sept. 12, 2026

    Flying Carpet — Stuart Davis Part 2 · In context

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Stuart Davis

    Born in Philadelphia, United States of America

    Stuart Davis: A Pioneer of American Modernism

    Early Life and Training

    Born on December 7, 1892, in Philadelphia, Stuart Davis was immersed in an artistic environment from a young age. His father, Edward Wyatt Davis, served as the art editor for the Philadelphia Press, while his mother, Helen Stuart Davis, was a sculptor. This familial background undoubtedly fostered his early interest in visual arts.

    Davis received formal training at the Robert Henri School of Art in New York City from 1909 to 1912 under the guidance of Robert Henri. During this period, he formed lasting friendships with fellow painters John Sloan, Glenn Coleman, and Henry Glintenkamp.

    Early Career and the Armory Show

    Davis quickly gained recognition as one of the youngest exhibitors at the pivotal Armory Show in 1913. He presented five watercolor paintings that reflected the style of the Ashcan School, marking an early step in his artistic journey.

    Artistic Development and Style

    Throughout the 1920s, Davis developed his distinctive mature style. He began creating abstract still lifes and landscapes characterized by a proto-pop art element, incorporating contemporary subject matter like cigarette packages and spark plug advertisements into his compositions.

    His work is known for its bold, brash, and colorful nature. Davis’s artistic expression was profoundly influenced by his love of jazz music, which became increasingly evident in his paintings from the 1940s and 1950s. The Ashcan School movement also played a crucial role in shaping his early aesthetic sensibilities.

    Influences and Inspirations

    Robert Henri: Provided foundational training and encouraged direct observation of life.

    Ashcan School: Influenced his initial focus on urban realism and everyday subjects.

    Cubism: Inspired his exploration of abstract forms and fragmented perspectives.

    Jazz Music: Contributed to the rhythmic energy and improvisational quality of his paintings.

    Notable Works

    Odol (Modernism), completed in 1928, stands as a prime example of Davis’s unique style. This painting exemplifies his ability to blend abstract forms with recognizable imagery from popular culture.

    Other significant works include Rocks, Gloucester (1915), The Mellow Pad, and Tropes de Teens (1956).

    Legacy and Historical Significance

    Stuart Davis’s contributions to American Modernism are undeniable. He paved the way for future generations of artists by challenging traditional artistic conventions and embracing contemporary themes.

    As a pioneer in abstract art, he helped establish a distinctly American voice within the broader context of modern art history. His work continues to inspire and influence artists today, solidifying his place as a significant figure in 20th-century art.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Flying Carpet

    wikioo.org/en/art/download/stuart-davis-flying-carpet-AS7URD-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Davis, Stuart. Flying Carpet. 1942, https://wikioo.org/en/art/stuart-davis-flying-carpet-AS7URD-en/
    APA
    Davis, Stuart (1942). Flying Carpet [Painting]. https://wikioo.org/en/art/stuart-davis-flying-carpet-AS7URD-en/
    Chicago
    Stuart Davis. Flying Carpet. 1942. https://wikioo.org/en/art/stuart-davis-flying-carpet-AS7URD-en/
    Harvard
    Davis, Stuart (1942) Flying Carpet. Available at: https://wikioo.org/en/art/stuart-davis-flying-carpet-AS7URD-en/

    Source: WikiOO.org — accessed Sept. 12, 2026

    Flying Carpet — Stuart Davis Part 3 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Flying Carpet — Stuart Davis

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Look back at Odol, earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    4. Stuart Davis was about 50 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
    5. What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: WikiOO.org — accessed Sept. 12, 2026

    Flying Carpet — Stuart Davis Part 4 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    What shape and dimensions is "Flying Carpet" by Stuart Davis?

    The format of "Flying Carpet" is landscape, and the original measures 216 x 305 cm. Both are useful when planning a reproduction.

    How can I get a digital file of "Flying Carpet" by Stuart Davis?

    "Flying Carpet" is available as a high-resolution digital image download, purchased directly on this page.

    When was "Flying Carpet" made?

    "Flying Carpet" by Stuart Davis was created in 1942.

    Which artist is "Flying Carpet" attributed to?

    "Flying Carpet" is attributed to Stuart Davis.

    What was Stuart Davis's age when "Flying Carpet" was created?

    Stuart Davis was 50 years old when creating "Flying Carpet" in 1942. The age is computed from the artist's birth year, 1892.

    What underlying hue runs through "Flying Carpet" by Stuart Davis?

    The dominant hue of "Flying Carpet" by Stuart Davis is ochre to sepia. The hue is the underlying tone of the palette.

    Where can I find artworks similar to "Flying Carpet" by Stuart Davis?

    The Similars page of "Flying Carpet" by Stuart Davis presents related artworks.