Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Christian Jaccard. It dates from 1983 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Christian Jaccard’s 1983 lithograph, titled Untitled, is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art.
Christian Jaccard’s 1983 lithograph, titled Untitled, is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art. The work consists of two concentric circles arranged vertically, each filled with intersecting linear patterns that suggest mechanical or labyrinthine structures. A limited palette of brown and white dominates, while irregular splatters of pigment appear along the margins, creating a contrast between precision and spontaneity.
Subject & Meaning
The composition’s stacked circles and intricate internal lines evoke notions of machinery, circuitry, or abstracted pathways, inviting viewers to contemplate systems of order and complexity. The juxtaposition of clean geometric forms with erratic edge markings may reflect a tension between controlled design and uncontrolled chance, a theme often explored in late‑20th‑century abstract printmaking.
Technique & Style
Jaccard employed traditional lithography, drawing the image on a flat limestone surface with greasy media before treating the stone to retain ink only where the design was applied. This method yields sharply defined lines within the circles while allowing the surrounding areas to retain a softer, uneven edge, evident in the splattered peripheral marks that soften the overall precision.
History & Provenance
Created in 1983, the lithograph entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its production, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s ongoing commitment to documenting experimental print practices of the 1980s and the work’s relevance within Jaccard’s broader oeuvre of abstract, process‑oriented pieces.
Artist & collection
Artist
Christian Jaccard (b. 1939) was a French artist, born in Fontenay-sous-Bois.
