Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Ben Shahn in 1932.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.

Artwork

Untitled

Ben Shahn , 1932

Untitled is a gouache drawing by Ben Shahn. It dates from 1932 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1932, this gouache drawing by Ben Shahn depicts two formally dressed men seated side by side. Their hands are linked, and they are set against a flat, muted wall that suggests the faint suggestion of windows or doors. The composition is rendered in a loose, sketch‑like manner, with bold, softened colors that give the scene a slightly blurred, immediate quality.

Subject & Meaning

The work presents a pair of suited figures, one with a mustache and a solemn expression, the other wearing a bow tie and appearing more relaxed. Their joined hands may allude to themes of solidarity or shared circumstance, resonating with Shapiro’s broader interest in social and political narratives.

Technique & Style

Shahn employed gouache on paper mounted to board, allowing for vivid, opaque color while retaining a fluid, sketchy line. The figures are outlined with confident strokes, and the background is rendered in a flat maroon tone, creating a stark contrast that emphasizes the subjects without detailed setting.

History & Provenance

Ben Shahn, born in the Russian Empire in 1898 and immigrated to the United States in 1906, trained initially as a lithographer before studying at the National Academy of Design. By the early 1930s he was establishing a reputation for socially engaged art, and this 1932 drawing reflects that period of his career.

Artist & collection

Artist

Ben Shahn

Ben Shahn (September 12, 1898 – March 14, 1969) was an American artist. He is best known for his works of social realism, his left-wing political views, and his series of lectures published as The Shape of Content. Born…

Museum

Museum of Modern Art

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