Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Francisco Corzas in 1972.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.

Untitled by Francisco Corzas (1972) — Meaning & Museum

About this work

Overview

Created in 1972, this untitled intaglio belongs to a mixed portfolio that also includes screenprints, lithographs and an aquatint.

Created in 1972, this untitled intaglio belongs to a mixed portfolio that also includes screenprints, lithographs and an aquatint. The work is part of a limited series of ten intaglio prints assembled by Mexican artist Francisco Corzas Chávez, whose output numbered around 1,500 pieces before his death in 1983. The portfolio is held in several major institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a dark, abstract composition built from strong lines and geometric shapes that suggest a tension between order and chaos. While no explicit narrative is offered, the stark contrasts and fragmented forms invite contemplation of interior psychological states, a concern that recurs throughout Corzas’s oeuvre during his post‑Ruptura period.

Technique & Style

Executed with the intaglio process, the artist incised the design into a metal plate, inked the recessed lines, and transferred the image onto paper under pressure. The resulting marks retain a tactile quality, with bold, crisp edges that emphasize the graphic nature of the composition. This method aligns with Corzas’s broader interest in combining traditional printmaking with modernist abstraction.

History & Provenance

Francisco Corzas Chávez, born in 1936 into a modest family, trained in Mexico and Italy before establishing a career in Europe and later returning to Mexico in the 1960s. The portfolio, which features works by twenty‑one printmakers from various countries, reflects his connections to European artistic circles and his role in the Generación de la Ruptura. After his death in 1983, the series entered public collections, most notably MoMA.