Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Fortunato Depero. It dates from 1929 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1929, this work by Fortunato Depero consists of a single page taken from a journal and produced through a combination of letterpress and gravure printing. The piece is executed on paper and presents a composition of geometric shapes and limited colour fields that reference industrial forms.
Subject & Meaning
The design employs simplified lines, patterns and blocky motifs that evoke machinery, architecture and the kinetic energy associated with early twentieth‑century urban life. By abstracting these elements, Depero aligns the image with the Futurist fascination with speed, technology and the visual impact of modern environments.
Technique & Style
Depero’s process merges two historic printing methods: letterpress, which presses inked type and images onto the paper, and gravure, a intaglio technique that allows for fine tonal variation. The resulting surface combines the crisp, graphic quality of letterpress with the subtle texture of gravure, highlighting the artist’s experimental approach to visual communication.
Context
At the time of its production Depero was a central figure in Italian Futurism, contributing not only paintings but also graphic design, advertising and typographic work. This journal page reflects his broader effort to extend Futurist aesthetics beyond canvas, integrating avant‑garde visual language into everyday printed media.
Artist & collection
Artist
Fortunato Depero (30 March 1892 – 29 November 1960) was an Italian futurist painter, writer, sculptor, and graphic designer.
