Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Diego Rivera. It dates from 1938 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Diego Rivera’s 1938 linoleum cut, untitled, is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Executed as a single‑plate print, the work measures roughly a modest size and presents a stark, monochrome composition punctuated by vivid red elements. Its presence in MoMA reflects the institution’s interest in early twentieth‑century Mexican modernism.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a distorted human head whose scalp sprouts a tree, its roots and branches rendered as thick, tangled strands reminiscent of wires. The figure’s hands press against its cheeks while its mouth opens in an exaggerated scream, creating a surreal tableau that suggests inner turmoil or a clash between nature and the self.
Technique & Style
Rivera employed bold, black contour lines to define the forms, while solid blocks of red provide visual contrast and draw attention to the tree’s roots and branches. The linoleum cut technique allows for crisp edges and flat areas of color, producing a graphic quality that heightens the unsettling, dream‑like atmosphere of the composition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1938, the print entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through a mid‑twentieth‑century acquisition program focused on modern printmaking. Its inclusion underscores Rivera’s engagement with print media during a period when he explored socially charged themes through accessible, reproducible formats.
Artist & collection
Artist
Diego María de la Concepción Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodríguez was a Mexican painter. His large frescoes helped establish the mural movement in Mexican and international art.
