Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by David Salle. It dates from 1985 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a 1985 print by David Salle, combines lift‑ground aquatint, aquatint, and soft‑ground etching. The work is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed among the institution’s post‑war American prints.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a cloaked, hooded figure set against a turbulent, tangled backdrop. The figure’s face is concealed, while its hands clutch an indeterminate object, suggesting a weapon or tool. Red and black splashes punctuate the scene, evoking rain, blood, or an atmospheric disturbance that heightens the sense of urgency.
Technique & Style
Salle employs a layered printmaking process: lift‑ground aquatint creates broad tonal fields, while soft‑ground etching renders the rough, uneven lines of the figure and background. The resulting marks appear scribbled yet are deliberately executed, producing a contrast between dense darks and lighter washes that give the figure a weighty presence.
History & Provenance
Created in 1985, the print entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its production, reflecting the institution’s interest in contemporary American printmakers of the 1980s. Its acquisition history is documented in MoMA’s acquisition records.
Context
During the mid‑1980s, Salle’s practice often juxtaposed fragmented imagery with painterly abstraction, a tendency that extends into his print work. Untitled exemplifies his exploration of narrative ambiguity, aligning with broader postmodern tendencies toward mixed media and the deconstruction of traditional figurative representation.
Artist & collection
Artist
David Salle is an American Postmodern painter, printmaker, photographer, and stage designer.
