Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Carolee Schneemann. It dates from 1977 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
The paper’s light beige tone serves as a muted backdrop, allowing the linear elements to stand out.
Created in 1977, this drawing by Carolee Schneemann consists of felt‑tip pen and pencil marks on a sheet of paper that has been treated to become semi‑transparent. The composition is divided into two zones: a red line with simple stick figures occupies the upper area, while a black line with additional figures runs across the lower portion. The paper’s light beige tone serves as a muted backdrop, allowing the linear elements to stand out.
Subject & Meaning
The work functions as a schematic exploration of human form, rendered in crude, gestural stick figures that suggest movement and interaction. By reducing bodies to minimal lines, Schneemann foregrounds the relationship between presence and abstraction, echoing her broader interest in the body as a site of visual and conceptual investigation.
Technique & Style
Schneemann employs felt‑tip pen for bold, saturated red strokes and graphite pencil for finer black lines, contrasting thickness and texture. The use of transparentized paper introduces a subtle layering effect, giving the drawing a sense of depth despite its flat surface. The minimalist, diagrammatic style aligns with her shift from Abstract Expressionist painting toward more process‑oriented, experimental drawing.
History & Provenance
The piece entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is catalogued as part of Schneemann’s oeuvre from the late 1970s. It reflects a period when the artist was transitioning from performance and multimedia projects to more intimate, preparatory works that documented her conceptual investigations.
Artist & collection
Artist
Carolee Schneemann (October 12, 1939 – March 6, 2019) was an American visual experimental artist, known for her multi-media works on the body, narrative, sexuality and gender.
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