Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a watercolor drawing by David Scher. It dates from 1996 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1996, this pencil and watercolor drawing by David Scher is part of The Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Executed on paper, it presents a fleeting, intimate portrait of an elderly man viewed in profile. The work’s modest scale and unadorned presentation reflect a spontaneous, observational approach, typical of Scher’s practice in capturing human presence with minimal means.
Subject & Meaning
His expression is neutral, his features suggested rather than defined, inviting contemplation without narrative.
The subject is an older man with glasses and wavy hair, rendered in a candid, side profile. His expression is neutral, his features suggested rather than defined, inviting contemplation without narrative. The handwritten title, 'The old grease,' adds an enigmatic, almost colloquial layer—neither explanatory nor decorative, it resists clear interpretation, leaving the viewer to engage with the figure on a purely visual and emotional level.
Technique & Style
Scher employed loose, rapid pencil strokes to outline the figure, supplemented by diluted watercolor washes that preserve the sketch’s lightness. The background remains untouched, emphasizing the subject’s isolation. The technique prioritizes immediacy over finish—lines are hesitant, colors translucent, and contours imperfect. This approach conveys a sense of transient observation, as if the drawing were made in a single, unbroken moment.
History & Provenance
The drawing entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection following its creation in 1996. No prior ownership history is publicly documented, suggesting it was acquired directly from the artist or through a gallery exhibition. Its inclusion in the museum’s holdings reflects an institutional interest in understated, process-driven works that challenge traditional notions of finished art.
Context
Scher’s work emerged within a broader late-20th-century interest in informal, autobiographical drawing. His portraits align with a tradition of artists who value the immediacy of the sketch over polished representation. In a period dominated by conceptual and digital media, his hand-drawn figures offered a quiet counterpoint—emphasizing presence, time, and the physicality of mark-making.
Legacy
Though not widely exhibited, this drawing exemplifies Scher’s consistent focus on the human form through ephemeral means. It contributes to a growing recognition of sketch-based practices as legitimate artistic statements. Its presence in MoMA’s collection affirms the value of unpretentious, personal work within the canon of contemporary drawing, influencing later artists who prioritize gesture over grandeur.
Artist & collection
