Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Auguste Merle in 1901.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.

Artwork

Untitled

Auguste Merle , 1901

Untitled is a graphite drawing by Auguste Merle. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1901 by French draftsman Auguste Merle, this untitled pencil drawing is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art. Executed on paper with graphite, the work measures a modest size typical of Merle’s studies and presents a meticulously rendered urban scene devoid of color.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a long, deserted street flanked by tall, narrow buildings whose steep roofs and modest windows suggest a historic European quarter. A line of evenly spaced cobblestones recedes toward a solitary tower, imparting a sense of depth and quiet anticipation, as if the space were a stage awaiting actors.

Technique & Style

Merle builds the image through dense cross‑hatching, layering fine graphite strokes to model light, shadow, and texture. The repetitive, controlled marks create the illusion of stone pavement, brick façades, and distant atmospheric perspective, demonstrating the artist’s command of line to convey volume without pigment.

History & Provenance

The drawing entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection in the early 20th‑century acquisitions program, reflecting MoMA’s early interest in European graphic works. Its provenance prior to museum ownership is not extensively documented, but the piece has been exhibited in several retrospectives of Merle’s oeuvre.

Artist & collection

Artist

Auguste Merle

Auguste Merle was a French artist.

Museum

Museum of Modern Art

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