Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Allan D'Arcangelo, Louise Nevelson, Paul Burlin, George Sugarman, Charles Cajori, Rudolf Baranik, Leon Golub, Adja Yunkers, Irving Petlin, Ad Reinhardt, Jack Sonenberg, Carol Summers, David Weinrib, William Copley, Mark di Suvero, Various Artists Charles Hinman. It dates from 1966 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a collaborative print portfolio created in 1966 by a group of seventeen artists, including Charles Hinman, Louise Nevelson, and Ad Reinhardt, among others. The work comprises nine screenprints, six lithographs, and one etching, accompanied by a supplemental volume of eighteen letterpress prints. It is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The central piece features a black square with a small white rectangle bearing the text: 'ARTISTS AND WRITERS PROTEST AGAINST THE WAR IN VIET NAM.' This direct, text-only composition conveys a clear anti-war statement, positioning the work as a protest piece rather than a traditional artistic expression.
Technique & Style
The portfolio utilizes various printmaking techniques, including screenprinting, lithography (with one piece incorporating embossing), etching, and letterpress printing. The primary visual element's simplicity—clean edges, a dominant black field, and a centered white rectangle with bold text—prioritizes clarity of message over ornate aesthetics.
History & Provenance
Created in 1966, Untitled reflects the artistic community's response to the Vietnam War. The work is held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, testifying to its significance within the context of mid-20th-century socially engaged art.
Context
Untitled emerges from a period of heightened political activism in the 1960s. The collaborative nature of the project and its use of printmaking for mass producibility align with the era's tendencies towards collective artistic statements and the leveraging of art for social commentary.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Hinman, Allan D'Arcangelo, Louise Nevelson, Paul Burlin, George Sugarman, Charles Cajori, Rudolf Baranik, Leon Golub, Adja Yunkers, Irving Petlin, Ad Reinhardt, Jack Sonenberg, Carol Summers, David Weinrib,…
