Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Egon Mathiesen. It dates from 1944 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1944, this lithograph by Egon Mathiesen is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art. The work consists of a simplified, squat figure rendered in flat planes of vivid color, set against an almost empty background that emphasizes the graphic quality of the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is depicted with a large red circular head and a body composed of bold blocks of blue, green, and orange. Its arms terminate in a dark shape that holds a brush, suggesting the image may function as a self-referential comment on the act of making art, presented in a playful, almost doodle‑like manner.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the image relies on the medium’s capacity for flat, saturated tones and crisp edges. The lines appear loose and sketchy, giving the impression of rapid, gestural drawing. The limited background space allows the bright color fields and simple geometric forms to dominate the visual field.
History & Provenance
Mathiesen produced the piece during the final year of World War II, a period marked by experimentation in printmaking. After its creation, the lithograph entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on view as an example of mid‑century graphic abstraction.
Artist & collection
