Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Bernard Perlin. It dates from 1942 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1942, this pencil drawing by American artist Bernard Perlin measures a modest sheet of paper and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The work shows a solitary nude figure rendered in fine graphite, set against a muted beige ground that emphasizes the delicate tonal range of the medium.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a standing woman with long, wavy hair; her right leg is flexed while she holds a cloth near her lower torso, and her left hand rests on her hip. The pose, combined with a calm, inward‑directed expression, suggests a moment of private contemplation, inviting viewers to consider themes of vulnerability and self‑awareness.
Technique & Style
Perlin employed graphite pencil to achieve a soft, velvety surface, allowing subtle gradations of light and shadow to model the figure’s anatomy. The drawing’s restrained line work and careful shading reflect his broader shift from socially driven realism toward a more intimate, magic‑realist sensibility, while remaining firmly representational.
History & Provenance
Bernard Perlin, known for his work during the New Deal era and later wartime illustration, produced this piece early in his career. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings as part of the institution’s effort to document mid‑twentieth‑century American drawing, and it remains in the museum’s permanent collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bernard Jerome Perlin (November 21, 1918 – January 14, 2014) was an American painter.
