Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil painting by Archibald John Motley Jr.. It dates from 1929 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a 1929 oil on canvas painting by Archibald John Motley Jr., depicts a tightly grouped assembly of individuals within a small, warmly illuminated interior space.
Subject & Meaning
The scene focuses on the everyday life of a Black community in 1920s Chicago, capturing a moment of collective engagement, with figures interacting through raised hands and upturned faces.
Technique & Style
Motley employs bold, vibrant colors and pronounced light and shadow effects, imbuing the genre scene with a sense of dynamism and immediacy, akin to a candid observation of real life.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, though specific details of its acquisition or earlier ownership are not provided in the available information.
Context
Created during the Harlem Renaissance, this work reflects Motley's characteristic focus on portraying the vitality and intimacy of African American social life in Chicago during the 1920s.
Artist & collection
