Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Corita Kent. It dates from 1956 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1956, this untitled screenprint by Corita Kent is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. The composition features a solitary figure rendered in vivid purples against a luminous yellow field, with a blurred facial expression marked by dark circular eyes. The work’s palette also incorporates greens, and the forms vary between rough, textured areas and smoother surfaces.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure appears abstracted, its body constructed from irregular, thick shapes that suggest a sense of movement or emotional intensity. The blurred visage and stark color contrasts invite viewers to contemplate identity and presence within a simplified, almost graphic environment, reflecting Kent’s interest in merging pop visual language with personal expression.
Technique & Style
Kent employed the screenprinting process, a method that forces ink through stenciled meshes to produce flat, saturated areas of color. This technique, widely used for commercial posters, allowed her to achieve bold chromatic blocks and a crisp delineation between the figure and background, while also permitting varied surface textures through differing ink applications.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in the mid‑1950s, a period when Kent was establishing her reputation as a leading figure in American printmaking. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings as part of the institution’s effort to document post‑war graphic art, and it remains on display as an example of her early screenprint work.
Artist & collection
Artist
Corita Kent, born Frances Elizabeth Kent and also known as Sister Mary Corita Kent, was an American artist, designer and educator, and former religious sister.
