Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Achille Perilli. It dates from 1966 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1966, this print by Achille Perilli combines etching and aquatint techniques to produce a layered composition of abstract forms.
Created in 1966, this print by Achille Perilli combines etching and aquatint techniques to produce a layered composition of abstract forms. It is part of the collection at The Museum of Modern Art. The work avoids representational imagery, instead using stark contrasts and geometric divisions to structure its visual field. The absence of shading and the flat application of color emphasize the materiality of the print surface.
Subject & Meaning
The print presents no identifiable figures or scenes. Its three horizontal bands suggest a structural or spatial hierarchy, but their meaning remains open. The jagged forms and fractured lines evoke tension or disruption, possibly reflecting postwar anxieties or the fragmentation of perception. The work invites contemplation of form and gesture rather than narrative, aligning with abstract tendencies of its era.
Technique & Style
Perilli employed etching and aquatint to achieve sharp, incised lines and tonal gradients. The white streaks and jagged shapes were likely created through drypoint scratching, giving the impression of torn paper. Flat areas of blue, gray, and orange were printed without modulation, reinforcing a deliberate simplicity. The texture of the lines suggests direct, physical intervention, emphasizing the artist’s hand in the process.
History & Provenance
The work entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, reflecting institutional interest in postwar European abstraction. Perilli, an Italian artist associated with the Forma 1 group, was gaining recognition in the 1960s for his non-figurative prints. This piece is one of several from the period that demonstrate his exploration of printmaking as a medium for spatial and formal inquiry.
Context
Made during a period when European artists were moving away from figurative traditions, this print aligns with broader trends in postwar abstraction. Perilli’s use of limited color and geometric division echoes contemporaneous work by artists in Italy and France who sought to distill visual experience into essential forms. The emphasis on process and materiality reflects a shared interest in the physical act of making.
Legacy
Though not widely exhibited, this print contributes to understanding Perilli’s role in the development of Italian abstract printmaking. Its restrained palette and emphasis on line and texture influenced later artists exploring the limits of the print medium. The work remains a quiet example of how etching and aquatint could be used to convey tension and structure without recourse to representation.
Artist & collection
