Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by August Macke. It is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1918, this untitled linoleum cut by August Macke resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Executed as a black-and-white print, the work presents three elongated, stylized figures arranged closely together, their forms rendered in stark, flat shapes against a light ground.
Subject & Meaning
The three figures, rendered without facial features, appear to support one another, suggesting a sense of communal bond or shared movement. Their simplified silhouettes and the proximity of their bodies invite contemplation of unity and interdependence, themes recurrent in Macke’s exploration of human connection.
Technique & Style
Macke employed the linoleum cut method, carving the design into a linoleum block and printing it with ink. The process yields crisp, clean edges and a graphic quality evident in the sharp lines and uniform black shapes. The absence of detail emphasizes form over representation, aligning with the artist’s interest in abstraction.
History & Provenance
The print was produced toward the end of Macke’s brief but prolific career, shortly before his death in 1914. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings as part of its early 20th‑century print collection, reflecting the institution’s commitment to preserving works that illustrate the development of modern graphic art.
Artist & collection
Artist
August Robert Ludwig Macke (3 January 1887 – 26 September 1914) was a German Expressionist painter.
