Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Adolph Gottlieb. It dates from 1966 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a 1966 screenprint by American artist Adolph Gottlieb, part of the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Executed as a print rather than a painting, the work presents a stark, flat field of green that serves as a backdrop for two contrasting forms.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features a large, diffuse blue circle positioned near the top of the field, alongside an irregular orange shape whose lower point extends sharply, suggesting a splash or a falling drop. The juxtaposition of these simple, abstract elements invites contemplation of balance and tension without representing any recognizable subject.
Technique & Style
Gottlieb employed the screenprinting process, using solid blocks of color and uneven, hand‑drawn edges that give the shapes a slightly ragged appearance. The limited palette—green, blue, and orange—highlights the artist’s interest in bold, elemental forms and the tactile quality of the printed surface.
History & Provenance
Created in 1966, the print entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings as part of its mid‑century American art acquisitions. Its presence in MoMA’s collection reflects the institution’s commitment to documenting Gottlieb’s contributions to abstract expressionist printmaking.
Context
During the 1960s Gottlieb shifted from his earlier gestural abstractions to more simplified, symbolic imagery, often employing a reduced visual language. Untitled exemplifies this period, aligning with broader trends in American abstract art that emphasized flat color fields and graphic clarity.
Artist & collection
Artist
Adolph Gottlieb was an American abstract expressionist painter who also made sculpture and became a printmaker.
