Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Georg Baselitz. It dates from 1992 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
The work presents a stark, dark silhouette set against an almost black field, punctuated by irregular, light‑brown ink marks that hint at an ambiguous figure.
Georg Baselitz’s 1992 woodcut, catalogued simply as Untitled, is part of the print collection at the Museum of Modern Art. The work presents a stark, dark silhouette set against an almost black field, punctuated by irregular, light‑brown ink marks that hint at an ambiguous figure. Its composition balances stark contrast with a raw, tactile quality that draws attention to the materiality of the print.
Subject & Meaning
The image offers a fragmented, almost sculptural presence, with jagged lines that suggest a carved form rather than a clearly defined subject. The faint, brown‑toned shapes evoke a face or figure that resists precise identification, inviting viewers to contemplate the tension between visibility and concealment inherent in the composition.
Technique & Style
Executed through traditional woodcut methods, Baselitz incised the design into a wooden block, applied ink, and transferred the image onto paper, integrating ink‑wash techniques for tonal variation. The uneven, rough edges of the carving are evident in the final print, emphasizing the hand‑made nature of the process and the artist’s interest in the physical act of cutting.
History & Provenance
Although the block bears a date marked 6/15, the work was completed later, in 1992, reflecting Baselitz’s ongoing exploration of print media during that period. The piece entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection, where it remains on view as part of the institution’s representation of late‑20th‑century German printmaking.
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…
