Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Christopher Wilmarth. It dates from 1976 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1976, Christopher Wilmarth’s drawing titled *Untitled* consists of graphite wash and pencil applied to paper that has been treated to become semi‑transparent. The work resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art and exemplifies Wilmarth’s interest in the interplay of light, material, and perception, extending concerns that dominate his better‑known glass and steel sculptures.
Subject & Meaning
The silhouette is suggested rather than defined, with minimal line work hinting at the outline of a body and clothing.
The image presents a lone, side‑view figure rendered in a faint, almost evaporated manner. The silhouette is suggested rather than defined, with minimal line work hinting at the outline of a body and clothing. This understated representation invites contemplation of presence and absence, echoing the artist’s preoccupation with the elusive qualities of form and the way objects can seem to dissolve into light.
Technique & Style
Wilmarth employed a combination of graphite wash and delicate pencil marks on transparentized paper, allowing the substrate to transmit light and enhance the work’s ethereal quality. The drawing is characterized by uneven, swift strokes—some heavy, others barely perceptible—creating a layered surface where darker smudges accumulate in areas of suggested shadow. The approach mirrors the gestural immediacy of a study rather than a polished finish.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the drawing has been part of the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings, reflecting the institution’s commitment to documenting Wilmarth’s broader artistic range beyond his sculptural output. The piece’s acquisition underscores the museum’s interest in works that explore materiality and light across media, situating *Untitled* within a collection that emphasizes experimental drawing practices of the 1970s.
Artist & collection
Artist
Christopher Wilmarth (1943 – November 19, 1987) was an American artist, known for producing sculptures using primarily glass and steel.
