Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache drawing by Aleksandra Ekster. It dates from 1924 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1924, this paper drawing combines ink, gouache and pencil.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1924, this paper drawing combines ink, gouache and pencil. It is attributed to Alexandra Exter, a Russian‑born artist who later worked in France. The work is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection and exemplifies her interest in mechanistic forms and abstract composition.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a stylised, angular figure reminiscent of a machine or robot. A tall rectangular torso supports a mask‑like head with a grid pattern, while the limbs extend outward, ending in simple geometric objects—a cylinder and a cube. The stark, almost schematic presentation suggests a contemplation of industrial modernity.
Technique & Style
Exter employs flat washes of gouache alongside precise ink lines and pencil shading, producing a clean, blueprint‑like aesthetic. The limited palette and sharp contours reinforce the geometric abstraction characteristic of her Cubo‑futurist and Constructivist leanings.
History & Provenance
Exter began her career in Kiev, where she maintained an active studio before moving to Paris in the early 1920s. There she interacted with leading artists such as Picasso and Braque. The drawing entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through acquisition in the mid‑20th century, reflecting the institution’s interest in avant‑garde Russian art.
Context
During the 1920s, Exter was engaged with the Russian and Ukrainian avant‑garde, contributing to movements that merged abstraction with a fascination for machinery. Her work anticipated elements of Art Deco, bridging the experimental spirit of Constructivism with emerging commercial design trends.
Artist & collection
Artist
Aleksandra Aleksandrovna Ekster (née Grigorovich; Russian: Алекса́ндра Алекса́ндровна Эксте́р; Ukrainian: Олекса́ндра Олекса́ндрівна Е́кстер; 18 January 1882 – 17 March 1949), also known as Alexandra Exter, was a Russian and French painter…
