Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Alex Katz. It dates from 1967 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1967, this untitled drawing by Alex Katz consists of pencil work applied to two sheets of acetate. The piece is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Its composition features three abstracted faces constructed from botanical elements, set against a light background that emphasizes the drawing’s delicate line work.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents three facial forms assembled from leaves and stems, suggesting a fusion of human and vegetal identities. The figures appear to hover within an imagined field of growth, inviting contemplation of the relationship between humanity and nature and the ways in which organic structures can delineate human features.
Technique & Style
Katz employs a dense cross‑hatching method, layering numerous fine pencil strokes to build tonal variation and texture. The tight, overlapping lines create shadows that define the contours of the leaf‑based faces, while the translucency of the acetate supports a sense of lightness and spatial ambiguity.
History & Provenance
The drawing was produced in the late 1960s, a period when Katz was exploring simplified forms and graphic media. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through acquisition (specific acquisition details are not publicly recorded), where it remains on view as part of the museum’s drawing collection.
Context
During the 1960s, Katz’s practice often intersected with pop‑art sensibilities, yet this piece leans toward a more lyrical abstraction. The use of acetate as a support reflects experimental approaches to drawing surfaces common among artists seeking to expand the medium’s possibilities beyond paper.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alex Katz is an American figurative artist known for his paintings, sculptures, and prints.
