Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Elise. It dates from 1933 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
The artist signed it with just the name *"elise"* and the date *5/15*—maybe May 1915 or 1935, but it’s unclear.
This drawing shows sharp black lines and simple shapes stacked unevenly. There’s a triangle tilted sideways, a half-circle, and a few straight edges that don’t quite line up. The background is a pale, uneven paper color, like it’s been torn or aged. One corner has a small tear, and the whole thing looks a little rough around the edges.
The artist signed it with just the name *"elise"* and the date *5/15*—maybe May 1915 or 1935, but it’s unclear. The title is scrawled faintly as *"descent"*, which might hint at something falling or shifting.
Check out how this was made using lithography.
Overview
Untitled is a lithographic print executed by the artist known as Elise in 1933. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed as an example of early twentieth‑century printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The composition consists of stark black lines that form a series of geometric elements—a sideways triangle, a semicircular curve, and several misaligned straight edges—arranged in an uneven stack. A faint inscription reading "descent" suggests a possible reference to motion or decline, though the meaning remains ambiguous.
Technique & Style
Created through lithography, the image displays the medium’s capacity for crisp, high‑contrast line work. The paper shows a weathered, off‑white tone with a small tear in one corner, giving the piece a tactile, slightly distressed appearance that emphasizes its graphic simplicity.
History & Provenance
The print bears Elise’s signature and a date noted as "5/15," the exact year of which is uncertain, but the work is dated 1933 in museum records. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings at an unspecified date and has remained in the institution’s print and drawing department.
Artist & collection
