Focus on Erased de Kooning Drawing and analyze the Existing copies.
No photographs exist of the de Kooning work before its erasure, but in 2010 digital images were made by SFMOMA, as a part of the Rauschenberg Research Project, that enhanced the remaining traces of the underlying drawing. De Kooning's original drawing features several figures facing in different directions, including at least one female, probably made with pencil and charcoal. It is important to note, however, that some marks may have been erased by de Kooning himself as part of the initial creation of the work.
The work, including its frame, measures 25.25 by 21.75 by 0.5 inches (64.1 cm × 55.2 cm × 1.3 cm). Some critics recognized the conceptual drive within Erased de Kooning Drawing, while others called the erasure an act of vandalism. De Kooning, however, gave Rauschenberg the drawing with full knowledge of the artist's intent. Without de Kooning's consent, this action could be more readily seen as vandalism. It was purchased by the SFMOMA in 1998 using a gift from Phyllis Wattis.