Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Alexander Calder. It dates from 1960 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1960, this untitled lithograph is attributed to Alexander Calder and belongs to the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Executed in the lithographic process, the work presents a composition of elementary geometric forms rendered in vivid hues against a stark white ground, exemplifying Calder’s interest in abstraction and visual equilibrium.
Subject & Meaning
The image consists of a prominent yellow disc on the left, a blue annulus enclosing a red circle, and a scattering of smaller black, red and orange spots. The arrangement of these simple shapes suggests a playful balance, inviting viewers to consider the interaction of color, form, and spatial tension without representing any recognizable subject.
Technique & Style
Employing lithography, Calder transferred his design from a prepared stone surface onto paper, allowing for crisp lines and flat, saturated color fields. The clean edges and uniform washes reflect the medium’s capacity for precise graphic quality, while the limited palette and geometric vocabulary align with the artist’s broader modernist aesthetic.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in the early 1960s, a period when Calder was expanding his practice beyond sculpture into two‑dimensional works. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through acquisition, becoming part of the institution’s representation of mid‑century American printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alexander "Sandy" Calder was an American sculptor known both for his innovative mobiles that embrace chance in their aesthetic, his static "stabiles", and his monumental public sculptures.
