Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache painting by the Constructivist artist Ben Nicholson. It dates from 1942 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a 1942 abstract painting by Ben Nicholson, created using gouache on board. It is characterized by geometric shapes and a bold color palette.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features two stacked shapes against a light gray background. One shape is predominantly dark brown with a blue inset, while the other contains bright red, blue, and yellow patches and a white rectangular void, evoking the idea of a window or absent element.
Technique & Style
Executed in gouache, the work showcases Nicholson's use of a soft, opaque medium to achieve crisp, sharp edges and flat, two-dimensional forms, aligning with constructivist principles.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, reflecting Nicholson's significant contribution to the development of abstract art in England.
Artist & collection
Artist
Benjamin Lauder Nicholson, OM (10 April 1894 – 6 February 1982) was an English painter of abstract compositions (sometimes in low relief), landscapes, and still-life. He was one of the leading promoters of abstract art in England.
