Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Bernard Rosenthal. It dates from 1960 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1960, this lithograph is one of several print works by Bernard J.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1960, this lithograph is one of several print works by Bernard J. Rosenthal, better known as Tony Rosenthal. While primarily recognized for his monumental public sculptures, Rosenthal explored printmaking during this period as a parallel creative outlet. The piece is part of The Museum of Modern Art’s collection, reflecting its significance within his broader artistic output.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a vessel caught in a violent sea, its masts and rigging contorted as if strained by elemental forces. There is no narrative detail—no crew, no horizon—only the struggle between the ship and the ocean. The absence of context emphasizes a universal sense of resistance against overwhelming natural power, evoking tension without explicit symbolism.
Technique & Style
Rosenthal employed rapid, energetic lithographic strokes to convey motion and chaos. Ink is applied with varying pressure, creating dense blacks and fragmented grays that suggest crashing waves and splintered wood. Minimal use of white space highlights the spray of sea foam, reinforcing the urgency of the scene through contrast and texture rather than detail.
History & Provenance
The lithograph was produced during a phase when Rosenthal was expanding his practice beyond sculpture into graphic media. It entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, likely acquired as part of the institution’s interest in mid-century American printmakers who bridged abstraction and expressive form.
Context
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, many American artists turned to printmaking to explore spontaneity and abstraction outside the constraints of large-scale fabrication. Rosenthal’s work aligned with this trend, using lithography’s immediacy to channel the same dynamism found in his metal sculptures, albeit on a smaller, more intimate scale.
Legacy
Though less known than his public installations, this print exemplifies Rosenthal’s commitment to expressive form across media. It remains a rare example of his graphic work in a major institutional collection, offering insight into his process and the broader engagement of sculptors with printmaking during the postwar era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bernard J. Rosenthal (August 9, 1914 – July 28, 2009), also known as Tony Rosenthal, was an American abstract sculptor widely known for his monumental public art sculptures, created over seven decades.
