Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Chryssa (Vardea-Mavromichali). 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 by Chryssa combines synthetic polymer paint, graphite, pencil and colored pencil on a board surface. The composition consists of two elongated panels, the upper set against a gray field and the lower on a pale yellow ground, each densely covered with intersecting black lines that generate a sense of kinetic movement.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing presents a network of sharp, criss‑crossing strokes that form a tangled, maze‑like pattern. While no figurative subject is evident, the arrangement of lines suggests an exploration of space and visual rhythm, echoing the artist’s broader interest in how light and form can be orchestrated through abstract means.
Technique & Style
Chryssa builds the image through successive layers of graphite, colored pencil and polymer paint, employing a cross‑hatching approach that creates depth and texture. The contrast between the controlled, precise line work and the overall impression of chaos reflects her skill in balancing meticulous draftsmanship with an expressive, almost kinetic visual language.
History & Provenance
Born in Greece and active in New York from the mid‑1950s, Chryssa became known for pioneering neon and luminist sculpture. By the early 1970s she was expanding her practice into drawing, as demonstrated by this piece. The work remains part of the artist’s oeuvre that bridges her sculptural investigations of light with two‑dimensional experimentation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Chryssa Vardea-Mavromichali (Greek: Χρυσά Βαρδέα-Μαυρομιχάλη; December 31, 1933 – December 23, 2013) was a Greek American artist who worked in a wide variety of media.
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