Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a paint painting by Arnold Schmidt. It dates from 1965 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Instead, he used synthetic polymer paint—basically, the same stuff in house paint—which dried faster and let him cover large areas without brushstrokes.
You see a long, narrow canvas painted in three flat bands of color: pale gray on top, bright orange in the middle, and deep green at the bottom.
Schmidt made this in 1965, when most painters still worked with oil. Instead, he used synthetic polymer paint—basically, the same stuff in house paint—which dried faster and let him cover large areas without brushstrokes. The colors don’t blend or fade; they just sit side by side, sharp and even. That choice feels quiet but deliberate, like he’s testing how little you need to call something a painting.
To see how other artists played with flat color, look up The Museum of Modern Art.
Overview
Untitled, created by Arnold Alfred Schmidt in 1965, is a painting characterized by three distinct, flat bands of color on a long, narrow canvas: pale gray at the top, bright orange in the middle, and deep green at the bottom. Executed in synthetic polymer paint, it exemplifies the artist's exploration of color field abstraction.
Subject & Meaning
This work prioritizes visual effects over representational imagery, engaging with the principles of the Op Art movement through its geometric simplicity and emphasis on color interaction. The deliberate, unblended adjacency of colors invites contemplation on the minimal requirements for a painting.
Technique & Style
Schmidt's use of synthetic polymer paint, unusual for the time, allowed for rapid drying and uniform coverage without visible brushstrokes. This technique reinforces the flat, sharp edges of the color bands, contributing to the work's distinct, modern aesthetic.
History & Provenance
Preceded by Schmidt's first solo exhibition, *Optical Paintings* in 1964, *Untitled* was later acquired by The Museum of Modern Art, where it remains part of the collection. Schmidt's subsequent career included roles as an Art Director and Commercial Art teacher.
Context
Created in 1965, the painting reflects the innovative spirit of the Op Art movement and the broader experimentation with new materials in art during the 1960s. Its use of synthetic polymer paint also highlights the era's transition away from traditional mediums like oil.
Legacy
As part of MoMA's collection, *Untitled* contributes to the museum's narrative on the development of Op Art and color field abstraction. It serves as a reference for understanding the period's artistic innovations in both technique and aesthetic philosophy.
Artist & collection
Artist
Arnold Alfred Schmidt, born in 1930 in Plainfield, New Jersey, lived most of his life in New York City.
