Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Christian Rohlfs. It dates from 1922 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1922, this untitled woodcut by Christian Rohlfs is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art. The work combines a traditional woodcut matrix with applied dark‑blue pigment, producing a stark, high‑contrast image that foregrounds a single, expressive human face.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a face distinguished by a pronounced nose and mouth, rendered in forceful, gestural lines. The starkness of the carving, together with the blue pigment, intensifies the emotional charge, suggesting a raw, perhaps confrontational, psychological presence.
Technique & Style
Rohlfs employed the woodcut process to carve bold, geometric contours, then manually applied dark blue paint to accentuate depth and texture. The juxtaposition of carved black ink and the added pigment creates a layered surface, highlighting the artist’s interest in combining printmaking precision with painterly intervention.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in the early post‑World War I period, a time when Rohlff’s work increasingly explored expressionist motifs. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through acquisition in the mid‑20th century, reflecting the institution’s commitment to early modern German printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Christian Rohlfs (November 22, 1849 - January 8, 1938) was a German painter and printmaker, one of the important representatives of German expressionism.
