Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Emmett Williams. It dates from 1963 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a 1963 offset lithograph by Emmett Williams, an American poet and visual artist. Characterized by a grid arrangement of letters and words, the print features a dense, uneven pattern of black text on an off-white background.
Subject & Meaning
The work does not depict a visual subject; instead, it presents a composition of letters and words, emphasizing their material and spatial relationship. This treatment reflects Williams's association with concrete poetry, which prioritizes the physical properties of language.
Technique & Style
Executed as a single, unified print, the lithograph's grid structure and overlapping elements create a sense of continuity without a clear beginning or end. The monochromatic scheme (black on off-white) underscores the textual focus.
History & Provenance
Created during Williams's European period (1949-1966), specifically following his involvement with the Darmstadt circle of concrete poetry (1957-1959), the work is now part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Emmett Williams (4 April 1925 – 14 February 2007) was an American poet and visual artist.
