Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Bruce Nauman. It dates from 1974 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1974, Untitled is a lithograph by Bruce Nauman, part of a seven-piece portfolio combining various print techniques including screenprinting, embossing, and die-cutting. The work exemplifies Nauman’s interest in pushing the boundaries of printmaking through material experimentation and conceptual rigor, moving beyond traditional forms to explore the physicality of language and gesture.
Subject & Meaning
The image consists of a fragmented, trembling inscription: 'Dance or Exercise on the Perimeter of a Square.
The image consists of a fragmented, trembling inscription: 'Dance or Exercise on the Perimeter of a Square.' The text, drawn by hand, mimics the erratic motion of a body moving within a defined space. Nauman translated the rhythmic, repetitive movements of a dancer he observed into a visual score, transforming choreography into a linguistic trace that blurs the line between instruction and abstraction.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the print captures the urgency of a spontaneous drawing—lines are uneven, tilted, and unevenly inked, suggesting motion and instability. The hand-drawn quality contrasts with the mechanical precision often associated with print media, emphasizing the artist’s bodily involvement. The irregularity of the script becomes a record of time and effort, not just a message.
History & Provenance
Untitled was produced as part of a limited portfolio released in 1974, each piece employing a distinct print method to explore variations on a single theme. The portfolio was developed during a period when Nauman was deeply engaged with performance and the body as subject. It was exhibited in early institutional contexts focused on conceptual art, and remains in public and private collections as a key example of his print work.
Context
In the mid-1970s, Nauman shifted from object-based sculpture toward processes that emphasized duration, repetition, and linguistic ambiguity. This portfolio emerged alongside his video and performance works, reflecting a broader interest in how rules and constraints shape human behavior. The use of text as movement aligns with contemporaneous conceptual practices that treated language as a material rather than a vehicle for meaning.
Legacy
Untitled contributed to a redefinition of printmaking as a site for conceptual inquiry rather than reproduction. Its influence is visible in later artists who treat handwriting, instruction, and bodily motion as central to their practice. The work’s raw, unpolished aesthetic challenged conventions of technical perfection in prints, opening space for imperfection as a legitimate artistic strategy.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bruce Nauman (born December 6, 1941) is an American artist. His practice spans a broad range of media including sculpture, photography, neon, video, drawing, printmaking, and performance. Nauman lives near Galisteo, New Mexico.
