Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Catherine Ashmore in 1989.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Untitled by Catherine Ashmore (1989) — Meaning & Museum

About this work

Overview

This poster combines a photographic image with bold typographic information to promote a performance of Tchaikovsky’s *The Nutcracker* presented by the English National Ballet at London’s Royal Festival Hall on 26 December 1989. The design documents a specific moment from the company’s inaugural season after it changed its name from the London Festival Ballet.

Subject & Meaning

The central photograph captures two dancers from the production: a female dancer in a white, flowing dress kneels with one arm lifted, while a male partner in a white military-style costume with red detailing and a pale wig stands beside her. The pose suggests a narrative moment within the ballet’s festive storyline, emphasizing grace and partnership.

Technique & Style

The image is a black‑and‑white photograph printed on a poster, with the figures illuminated from the front against a dark stage backdrop, creating strong contrast. The surrounding typographic layout provides essential details—artistic director Peter Schaufuss, performance dates, and venue—using a clean, sans‑serif style typical of late‑1980s promotional graphics.

History & Provenance

The poster records the English National Ballet’s first season under its new name, following the rebranding from the London Festival Ballet. It marks a specific performance of *The Nutcracker* at the Royal Festival Hall, a key venue for the company’s winter repertoire, and reflects the company’s efforts to establish a fresh public identity.

Context

Produced at the close of the 1980s, the poster aligns with a broader trend of using photographic imagery in performing‑arts advertising, moving away from illustrated designs. It also situates the ballet within the cultural calendar of post‑Christmas London, when *The Nutcracker* traditionally draws large audiences.

Artist & collection

Artist

Catherine Ashmore

Catherine Ashmore made poster-size prints in the late 1980s. One of them, the 1989 Untitled, shows a figure in a cluttered room filled with books and papers. The flat colors and sharp outlines feel like a snapshot from…