Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Georg Baselitz. It dates from 1982 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1982, this untitled linoleum cut by German artist Georg Baselitz is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art. The work presents a stark, nocturnal landscape dominated by dark tones and occasional gold highlights, rendered in a raw, tactile manner that emphasizes the physicality of the print medium.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a bleak terrain populated by jagged, skeletal trees and a serpentine path that disappears into the distance. Small, ambiguous forms—potentially figures or animals—are hinted at far back, inviting viewers to contemplate isolation and the ambiguous relationship between humanity and an austere natural environment.
Technique & Style
Baselitz employed the linoleum cut process, carving the design into a flat surface and inking the recessed lines before pressing the paper. This method produces a pronounced, uneven texture, giving the scene a scratched, almost visceral quality that reinforces the work’s somber mood and its emphasis on surface and line.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the print has remained within institutional holdings, ultimately entering the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Its presence at MoMA reflects the museum’s broader commitment to documenting post‑war European printmaking and Baselitz’s role in redefining figurative expression through unconventional techniques.
Artist & collection
Artist
Georg Baselitz was a German-Austrian painter, sculptor and graphic artist. In the 1960s he became well known for his figurative, expressive paintings. In 1969 he began painting his subjects upside down in an effort to…
