Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache drawing by Franz West. It dates from 1984 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a 1984 drawing by Austrian artist Franz West, combines gouache on printed paper with cardboard, characteristic of his unconventional approach to art. The piece is now part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork features disparate elements: a small, upright animal (possibly a squirrel or rabbit) on the left, and a solitary, shiny helmet on the right, set against a predominantly gray background with subtle gold accents. The specific subject or narrative intent behind these juxtaposed elements is not explicitly stated.
Technique & Style
West employed gouache, a translucent paint, allowing the underlying paper to show through, and incorporated torn, mixed textures of printed paper on cardboard, resulting in a rough, uneven visual quality.
History & Provenance
Created in 1984, the work is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, though detailed provenance prior to its acquisition is not provided.
Context
While West's practice often involved interactive pieces, this work does not explicitly engage in such direct interaction, instead relying on visual juxtaposition for its impact.
Artist & collection
Artist
Franz West (16 February 1947 – 25 July 2012) was an Austrian artist. He is best known for his unconventional objects and sculptures, installations and furniture work which often require an involvement of the audience.
