Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil painting by the Contemporary Abstract artist Gastone Novelli. It dates from 1968 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1968, this untitled work by Italian painter Gastone Novelli is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Executed on a large vertical canvas, the piece combines oil paint with unconventional materials such as pumice, ink, charcoal and pencil, resulting in a layered surface that invites close inspection.
Technique & Style
Novelli’s approach merges traditional oil painting with additive textures; pumice particles are embedded in the paint, producing a subtly granular finish. Ink and charcoal introduce linear marks, while pencil adds delicate, gestural strokes. The mixed-media strategy reflects a mid‑century interest in material experimentation, blurring the boundaries between drawing and painting.
History & Provenance
After its completion in 1968, the work entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on display. Documentation traces its acquisition directly to the artist’s estate, confirming its authenticity and continuous ownership by the institution since the early 1970s.
Context
Novelli produced this piece during a period when European artists were exploring the integration of non‑traditional substances into painting, seeking new visual vocabularies. The sparse arrangement and emphasis on texture align with contemporary movements that prioritized surface and material over representational narrative.
Artist & collection
