Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Berlinde De Bruyckere. It dates from 2002 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Berlinde De Bruyckere, a Belgian artist born in 1964, produced this untitled work in 2002. Executed on five sheets of paper, the piece combines cut‑and‑pasted printed fragments with pencil drawing, resulting in a stark black‑and‑white composition that centers on a suspended animal figure.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts an animal—interpreted as a bird or a dog—hanging upside down, its limbs contorted in an uneasy pose. The stark rendering and the animal’s inverted position evoke themes of vulnerability and tension, echoing De Bruyckere’s broader interest in the physicality of the human body and emotional intensity.
Technique & Style
De Bruyckere assembles the form from layered paper cutouts, then enhances the surface with sharp pencil lines and smudged shading to suggest fur texture. The juxtaposition of precise edges and softer graphite creates a tactile quality, reminiscent of collage and drawing practices that blur the boundary between two‑dimensional and sculptural approaches.
Context
The work draws on visual references from religious iconography, mythic narratives, and the Flemish Renaissance, all of which inform De Bruyckere’s exploration of corporeal forms. By integrating these historic motifs within a contemporary collage, the piece situates itself within a dialogue between past visual traditions and present concerns about the body and emotion.
Artist & collection
Artist
Berlinde De Bruyckere (born 1964) is a Belgian contemporary artist who works in sculpture and installation.
