Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a watercolor drawing by Claes Oldenburg. It dates from 1968 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
The artist used crayon and watercolor, blending colors to make the shape look rough and uneven.
This sketch shows a single, lumpy object that looks like a giant shoe or a squashed bag. It’s drawn in soft browns and blacks on pale paper, with quick, uneven lines. The background is almost blank, just a faint curve at the top like a half-circle frame.
The artist used crayon and watercolor, blending colors to make the shape look rough and uneven. The date "1968" is scribbled in the corner—this wasn’t meant to be perfect.
If you like this weird, simple style, check out Claes Oldenburg.
Overview
Untitled (1968) is a drawing by Claes Oldenburg, executed in crayon and watercolor on paper. Characterized by its simplicity and informal execution, the work contrasts with the artist's more renowned large-scale sculptures.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a singular, amorphous object resembling a distorted shoe or bag, rendered in muted browns and blacks. This interpretation of a mundane item in an unconventional form aligns with Oldenburg's thematic exploration of reimagining everyday objects.
Technique & Style
Oldenburg employed quick, uneven lines and blended crayon and watercolor to achieve a rough, lumpy texture. The predominantly blank background, save for a faint curved line, underscores the piece's informal, sketch-like quality.
History & Provenance
Created in 1968, prior to Oldenburg's collaborative partnership with his wife Coosje van Bruggen, the work is now part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Claes Oldenburg (January 28, 1929 – July 18, 2022) was a Swedish-born American sculptor best known for his public art installations, typically featuring large replicas of everyday objects.
![Study for "Shoeing Calvary Horses at the Front" [verso], by John Singer Sargent](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/john-singer-sargent--study-for-shoeing-calvary-horses-at-the-front-verso--6f6d1a163e84e9ab-w320.webp)
