Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Ewald Mataré. It dates from 1929 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1929, this untitled woodcut by German artist Ewald Mataré is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art. The composition presents a nocturnal landscape dominated by a dark background, punctuated by a small group of light‑colored cows gathered together.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a quiet herd of cows standing close in a night scene, suggesting a moment of stillness and communal presence within an otherwise empty, shadowy field. The minimal narrative invites contemplation of solitude and the subtle interactions of domestic animals in a natural setting.
Technique & Style
Mataré cut the image directly into a single wood block, allowing the natural grain of the material to emerge through the inked surface. This method produces a rough, muted texture that reinforces the work’s serene atmosphere, while the contrast between the pale figures and the dark ground emphasizes form over detail.
History & Provenance
The print was produced while Mataré resided in Estonia, a period marked by his physical distance from the artistic hubs of Germany. It later entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on display as an example of early twentieth‑century printmaking.
Context
Mataré’s woodcut belongs to a broader tradition of German expressionist printmaking, yet its restrained palette and simplified forms set it apart from the more aggressive graphic works of his contemporaries. The piece reflects the artist’s interest in natural subjects rendered with a calm, contemplative sensibility.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ewald Wilhelm Hubert Mataré was a German painter and sculptor, who dealt with, among other things, the figures of men and animals in a stylized form.
