Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Bettina Sellmann. It dates from 2003 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2003, this drawing by German artist Bettina Sellmann employs pencil and powdered graphite on paper. The work is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Measuring only the surface of the paper, the piece presents a muted, atmospheric figure rendered in soft, smudged tones that avoid hard outlines.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a sideways‑standing figure whose arm is bent behind the body. A faint smile hints at a subtle emotional tone, while the surrounding wavy lines suggest drapery or vapor, giving the figure an ethereal presence that invites contemplation of presence and absence.
Technique & Style
Sellmann combines traditional graphite pencil with powdered graphite, allowing her to blur edges and create a ghostly surface. The use of powdered medium produces a uniform, velvety texture, while the underlying pencil marks retain a sketch‑like quality, resulting in a work that feels both deliberate and fleeting.
History & Provenance
Born in 1971, Sellmann studied at the Städelschule in Frankfurt, earning a Meisterschülerin degree before moving to New York. She completed an MFA at Hunter College, residing in the city from 1999 to 2009. The drawing entered MoMA’s collection after its creation, though the exact acquisition date is not recorded here.
Context
The piece reflects Sellmann’s interest in the intersection of drawing and painting, exploring how graphite can convey atmospheric depth. Produced during her New York period, the work aligns with contemporary practices that emphasize material experimentation and the dissolution of clear figurative boundaries.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bettina Sellmann (born 1971) is a German artist. From 1992 to 1997 Sellmann studied and graduated as Meisterschülerin (Master) at Städelschule Frankfurt. In 1999 she was awarded a DAAD grant for New York City, where she…
