Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Etel Adnan, watercolor, 1968
Untitled, by Etel Adnan, watercolor, 1968

Untitled is a watercolor drawing by Etel Adnan. It dates from 1968 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Untitled, a 1968 artist's book by Etel Adnan, is a drawing executed in ink and watercolor on paper, currently part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a representation of a closed book, emphasizing its physical form rather than content. The depiction conveys simplicity and elegance through the book's unadorned, dark gray cover and lighter, curved spine.

Technique & Style

Adnan employed ink and watercolor to achieve a subtle, nuanced rendering. The smooth, matte finish of the cover and the contrast between the dark cover and lighter spine demonstrate a focus on understated, precise visual storytelling.

History & Provenance

Created in 1968, the work is now held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, though specific acquisition details are not provided here.

Context

While the piece's context within Adnan's broader oeuvre is not detailed here, the work's simplicity and focus on everyday objects suggest alignment with mid-20th-century artistic explorations of the mundane.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Etel Adnan

Artist

Etel Adnan

Etel Adnan was a Lebanese-American poet, essayist, novelist, and visual artist, and the author of Sitt Marie Rose.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.