Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Chuck Close. It dates from 2007 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled (2007) is a screenprint by Chuck Close, part of his extensive exploration of portraiture through various mediums. This work showcases his signature blend of realism and abstraction.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a face composed of tiny, colorful geometric shapes (squares, circles, lines), transitioning from warm tones (browns, pinks) in the foreground to cool blues and purples in the background. The sharp eyes contrast with the blurred, patterned face, achieving a dual real-abstract effect.
Technique & Style
Created using screenprinting, the piece leverages the medium’s capacity for layered color and texture. This method, akin to puzzle-like layering, aligns with Close’s grid-based compositional approach, adapted post-1988 to accommodate his physical limitations.
History & Provenance
Produced in 2007, following Close’s adaptation to paralysis from a 1988 spinal injury, *Untitled* is now part of The Museum of Modern Art’s collection.
Context
Reflecting Close’s broader artistic themes, *Untitled* sits within his photorealist and abstract portrait oeuvre, which often utilizes photography and large-format cameras as starting points.
Legacy
As a late work, *Untitled* exemplifies Close’s enduring innovation in portraiture and printmaking, maintaining his distinctive style despite physical challenges.
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.
