Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink drawing by David. It dates from 1975 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1975, this untitled work by David Hockney combines ink, felt‑tip pen and collage elements on paper. It is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The composition presents a densely layered scene that resembles a theatrical stage, populated by costumed figures and fragmented architectural motifs.
Subject & Meaning
Four central characters dominate the foreground: two women dressed in striped gowns with oversized bows and hats, and two men in period attire. Behind them a partially drawn curtain and a scattering of buildings, faces and objects suggest a narrative in progress, hinting at a theatrical or performative setting without providing a definitive storyline.
Technique & Style
Hockney merges hand‑drawn ink lines with cut‑out printed fragments, integrating tiny printed houses and portrait heads into the composition. The use of vivid red, green and black ink, sharp overlapping lines, and a collage aesthetic creates a sense of immediacy, as if a sketchbook page were expanded into a larger, more complex tableau.
History & Provenance
The piece originates from Hockney’s project titled *The Raft Progress*, though the precise context of that series remains ambiguous. After its creation, the work entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it has been displayed as an example of the artist’s experimental drawing practices of the mid‑1970s.
Context
During the 1970s Hockney explored mixed media approaches that combined traditional drawing with photographic and printed sources. This work reflects that period of experimentation, illustrating his interest in blurring the boundaries between drawing, collage and narrative illustration.
Artist & collection
Artist
David Hockney (born 9 July 1937) is an English painter, draughtsman, printmaker, stage designer, and photographer.
