Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by David Salle. It dates from 1983 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
The piece was produced using lithographic techniques, which rely on the chemical repulsion of oil and water on a stone surface to transfer ink.
David Salle's 1983 lithograph, titled Untitled, is a printed work held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art. It exemplifies the artist’s engagement with layered imagery and fragmented composition. The piece was produced using lithographic techniques, which rely on the chemical repulsion of oil and water on a stone surface to transfer ink. Its visual complexity arises from deliberate manipulation of this process, resulting in an image that balances chaos with precision.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents no singular narrative but instead layers fragmented forms—faint facial features, abstract lines, and ambiguous shapes—into a dense visual field. These elements appear partially obscured, as if emerging from or dissolving into the background. The ambiguity invites multiple interpretations, reflecting Salle’s interest in how images from mass media and memory collide and lose coherence when juxtaposed without clear hierarchy.
Technique & Style
Salle employed lithography to achieve a range of tonal and textural effects, allowing ink to bleed and overlap in unpredictable ways. The use of purple, green, and gold inks contributes to a sense of visual dissonance, while the underlying structure suggests controlled spontaneity. The technique enabled him to replicate the immediacy of drawing while maintaining the reproducibility of print, merging gestural energy with industrial process.
History & Provenance
Created in 1983, this lithograph was produced during a period when Salle was gaining recognition for his hybrid approach to image-making. It entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, reflecting institutional interest in contemporary printmaking that challenged traditional boundaries. Its acquisition underscores the museum’s commitment to documenting the evolving role of print in postmodern art practices.
Context
In the early 1980s, Salle was part of a generation of artists redefining painting and print through appropriation and collage-like composition. Untitled responds to the saturation of visual culture, echoing how images from advertising, film, and art history circulate and fragment in the public consciousness. The work aligns with broader trends in postmodern art that questioned originality and narrative clarity.
Legacy
Untitled exemplifies Salle’s influence on subsequent generations of artists who use print media to explore layered meaning and visual overload. Its integration into MoMA’s collection helped legitimize lithography as a viable medium for conceptual and non-narrative expression. The work remains a reference point in discussions about the intersection of drawing, print, and image fragmentation in contemporary art.
Artist & collection
Artist
David Salle is an American Postmodern painter, printmaker, photographer, and stage designer.
