Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an acrylic painting by the Contemporary Abstract artist Charline von Heyl. It dates from 2008 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2008, this untitled work by Charline von Heyl is an acrylic painting on canvas in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The composition is abstract, dominated by a bulky, hunched silhouette draped in a vivid red mantle, set against a muted gray‑white field punctuated by dark, amorphous shapes.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure appears weighty and concealed, its face obscured and its form resembling stacked stones. A cross hovers above the head while another lies on the ground, suggesting themes of burden, confinement, or ritual. The stark contrast between the red cape and the surrounding tones intensifies a sense of tension or entrapment.
Technique & Style
Heyl employs thick, gestural brushwork that borders on scribble, giving the surface a rough, impasto quality. The application is deliberately unrefined, allowing the paint’s texture to convey physicality. The limited palette of reds, grays, and blacks heightens the visual impact while the loose handling underscores the painting’s abstract, expressive character.
History & Provenance
The piece entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings after its creation, joining a broader acquisition of contemporary abstract works. Its presence in MoMA’s collection situates it within the institution’s ongoing documentation of early‑21st‑century painting practices and the evolving career of Charline von Heyl.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charline von Heyl is a German abstract painter. She also works with drawing, printmaking, and collage. She moved to the United States in the 1990s, and has studios in New York City and in Marfa, Texas.
