Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Fairfield Porter. It dates from 1972 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Fairfield Porter’s 1972 lithograph, titled Untitled, depicts a bustling urban intersection. The composition features tall, block‑like buildings rendered in flat, vivid hues—pink, green, orange—against a muted background. A city bus marked “Houston 1X,” pedestrians, storefronts, a bank sign, and the street name “E 20 St” populate the scene, while a traffic light adds a touch of everyday detail.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a moment of city life, emphasizing the rhythm and density of a metropolitan corner. By simplifying architectural forms into cut‑out shapes and employing bright, unmodulated colors, Porter conveys the vitality of the urban environment while inviting viewers to consider the ordinary moments that compose public space.
Technique & Style
Created through lithography, the print showcases Porter’s use of clean, precise lines and bold color fields. The flat application of pigment and the reduction of architectural detail to geometric silhouettes reflect a modernist aesthetic, aligning the piece with mid‑century graphic approaches to urban subject matter.
History & Provenance
Porter, an American painter and art critic, produced the lithograph after completing his studies at Harvard and the Art Students’ League in New York City, where he engaged with socially oriented art practices. The print entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings.
Context
The early 1970s saw a heightened interest among artists in depicting everyday urban scenes, often using print media to reach broader audiences. Porter’s work reflects this trend, merging his background in painting with the reproducible qualities of lithography to explore contemporary city life.
Artist & collection
Artist
Fairfield Porter (June 10, 1907 – September 18, 1975) was an American painter and art critic.
