Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an acrylic drawing by Elaine de Kooning. It dates from 1960 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1960, this untitled work by Elaine de Kooning consists of acrylic applied to paper and is classified as a drawing. The piece resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. It exemplifies the artist’s interest in gestural abstraction during the early 1960s, a period marked by experimentation with material and surface.
Subject & Meaning
The composition contains no recognizable objects; instead, it presents a field of interlocking forms rendered in vivid yellow, red, and black. The overlapping strokes suggest kinetic energy, conveying a sense of movement frozen in time. The work’s emphasis on raw, unmediated expression reflects de Kooning’s intent to prioritize feeling over representation.
Technique & Style
De Kooning applied the acrylic in thick, uneven layers that build a palpable surface texture, approaching impasto in its three‑dimensional quality. The brushwork is vigorous and spontaneous, with smears and bold strokes that create contrast between dark, rough areas and luminous, almost glowing patches. This tactile approach underscores the artist’s commitment to materiality.
History & Provenance
After its creation, the piece entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection, where it has been displayed as part of exhibitions exploring post‑war American abstraction. Its acquisition by MoMA situates the work within a broader narrative of mid‑century avant‑garde practices and the growing recognition of women artists in major institutions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Elaine Marie Catherine de Kooning was an Abstract Expressionist and Figurative Expressionist painter in the post-World War II era. She wrote extensively on the art of the period and was an editorial associate for Art News magazine.
