Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Charles White. It dates from 1970 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1970, this untitled work is a lithographic print executed on two sheets of paper by American artist Charles White. The piece resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. It presents a close‑up view of a seated figure, emphasizing the head and upper torso, and is distinguished by a stark contrast between the sharply rendered portrait and a loosely textured background.
Subject & Meaning
The image focuses on a single individual whose head is slightly inclined, dressed in a collared shirt and tie, suggesting a formal or professional identity. The intimate scale and direct gaze invite contemplation of the sitter’s presence, while the absence of narrative details leaves the figure open to interpretive readings about dignity, representation, and personal agency.
Technique & Style
White employed traditional lithography, a planographic process that allows for fluid, uneven lines and tonal variations reminiscent of hand‑drawn marks. The print’s background appears as torn or crumpled paper, achieved through deliberate textural effects that contrast with the crisp, high‑contrast rendering of the face, creating a visual tension between order and disorder.
History & Provenance
The work was produced in the early 1970s, a period when White was actively exploring printmaking as a means of broader dissemination. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection, where it has been retained as part of the institution’s holdings of mid‑century American prints, reflecting the museum’s commitment to representing diverse artistic practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Wilbert White Jr. was an American artist known for his chronicling of African American related subjects in paintings, drawings, lithographs, and murals. White's lifelong commitment to chronicling the triumphs…
