Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Bill Jensen. It dates from 1987 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1987 by American printmaker Bill Jensen, this untitled work is a black‑and‑white print that combines etching with aquatint. The image is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed among the institution’s mid‑late‑20th‑century graphic works.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a pair of hands bound together in fabric or bandage, suggesting themes of connection, restraint, or shared burden. Behind the figures rises a sharply outlined building topped by a cross, its forms softened by a slight blur, which may allude to a spiritual or institutional backdrop.
Technique & Style
Jensen employed traditional etching to incise the precise lines of the hands and architectural elements, then applied aquatint to achieve a range of tonal washes in the shadows. This dual approach yields a textured surface where the cloth appears supple while the surrounding lines remain crisp, creating a contrast between softness and rigidity.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in 1987 and entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly thereafter, becoming a representative example of Jensen’s printmaking during that period. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s focus on expanding its holdings of contemporary graphic media from the late twentieth century.
Context
During the 1980s, many artists revisited printmaking’s capacity for nuanced tonal variation, often merging etching with aquatint to explore chiaroscuro effects. Jensen’s work aligns with this trend, using the medium’s tactile qualities to investigate human relationships set against architectural and symbolic environments.
Artist & collection
