Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Chuck Close. It dates from 1968 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled (1968) is a mixed-media artwork by Chuck Close, combining a gelatin-silver print with ink, pencil, and pressure-sensitive tape on board. The piece showcases Close's early exploration of photographic techniques and meticulous rendering.
Subject & Meaning
The work features a black-and-white portrait of a man with distinctive glasses and a cigarette, set against a graph paper grid. The subject's everyday appearance reflects Close's interest in representational portraiture.
Technique & Style
Close layered a photographic print with manual interventions: scribbles, torn edges, and yellow tape, creating a collage-like effect. The visible grid and unfinished edges suggest a work in progress, highlighting the artist's experimental approach.
History & Provenance
Created in 1968, Untitled predates Close's adaptation of new methods following a 1988 spinal injury. The work is now part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Context
This piece exemplifies Close's transitional period, bridging photography and drawing. It anticipates his later photorealist portraits while reflecting the era's interest in hybrid artistic practices.
Legacy
Untitled influences the intersection of photography and manual artistry. Its blend of media foreshadows Close's signature style and inspires techniques like cross-hatching in contemporary art practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Thomas Close (July 5, 1940 – August 19, 2021) was an American painter, visual artist, and photographer who made massive-scale photorealist and abstract portraits of himself and others.
