Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Alton Pickens, ink, 1953
Untitled, by Alton Pickens, ink, 1953

Untitled is an ink print by Alton Pickens. It dates from 1953 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Untitled is a 1953 print by Alton Pickens, held at The Museum of Modern Art. It is a black-and-white etching and aquatint.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a dimly lit scene with three figures: a man carving a roast, a watching woman, and two empty chairs with carved, mask-like faces. The moonlight entering through a window adds a subtle illumination to the scene.

Technique & Style

Pickens employed a combination of sharp lines and soft shading to achieve depth in the image. The use of aquatint and etching techniques allows for a range of tonal values, from the dark room to the gentle moonlight.

Artist & collection

Artist

Alton Pickens

Alton Pickens (1917–1991) was an American artist, born in Seattle.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.