Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil drawing by Francis Alÿs. It dates from 1997 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, produced in 1997 by Francis Alÿs, is an oil on gelatin silver print classified as a drawing. The work is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. It presents a street scene captured in a grainy, slightly faded aesthetic that evokes the look of an old photograph.
Subject & Meaning
The image centers on an anonymous figure moving along an urban sidewalk, dressed in a long beige coat, blue jeans and sneakers, with hands concealed in coat pockets. The blurred face reduces the individual to a generic passer‑by, suggesting themes of anonymity and the flow of daily life in a city environment.
Technique & Style
Alÿs combines oil pigment with the gelatin silver photographic process, producing a print that retains the tactile qualities of drawing while referencing photographic realism. The deliberate grain and muted palette create a sense of temporal distance, aligning the work with documentary aesthetics while maintaining an artistic hand.
History & Provenance
Created in 1997, the piece entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s interest in contemporary practices that intersect drawing, photography, and conceptual investigation of urban experience.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francis Alÿs is a Belgian-born, Mexico-based artist. He works across art, architecture, and social practice. In 1986, Alÿs left behind his profession as an architect and relocated to Mexico City, where he lives and works.
