Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink drawing by Arnaldo Pomodoro. It dates from 1958 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1958, this ink-on-paper drawing by Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro is catalogued under the generic title Untitled. The work resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Though Pomodoro is chiefly recognized for his bronze sculptures, this early paper piece demonstrates his interest in the interplay of structure and disturbance.
Subject & Meaning
The composition consists of six modest squares, each containing undulating lines that vary from bold, dark strokes to faint, tentative marks. Occasional specks of black ink appear in the corners of several boxes, suggesting an element of chance. The inscription at the bottom, Impasto per la Tariffa del Tempo, hints at a conceptual link between material density and the passage of time.
Technique & Style
Pomodoro employed a hand‑drawn approach, juxtaposing steady, controlled lines with shakier, spontaneous gestures. The ink splatters appear to have been applied by flicking or dropping the medium, introducing an accidental texture that contrasts with the geometric confines of the boxes. The paper’s pale, aged hue reinforces a sense of archival simplicity.
History & Provenance
The drawing entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings after its acquisition in the late 20th century, joining a broader representation of Pomodoro’s early works. Its presence in the museum underscores the artist’s formative experiments with drawing before his later focus on large‑scale bronze forms.
Artist & collection
Artist
Arnaldo Pomodoro (23 June 1926 – 22 June 2025) was an Italian sculptor based in Milan.
