Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by George Segal. It dates from 1964 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a screenprint from a 1964 portfolio by George Segal, comprising seven screenprints, one etching, one lithograph, and one embossing.
Untitled is a screenprint from a 1964 portfolio by George Segal, comprising seven screenprints, one etching, one lithograph, and one embossing. It resides in The Museum of Modern Art’s collection. The work is part of a series exploring simplified human forms through printmaking, emphasizing abstraction over narrative detail. Its production method allowed for layered, flat color fields characteristic of Segal’s early printed work.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a rudimentary human figure lying on its side, rendered without facial features or anatomical precision. The form suggests a body in repose, stripped of individuality, evoking anonymity and vulnerability. The absence of detail invites interpretation as a universal presence rather than a specific person, aligning with Segal’s interest in the quiet dignity of ordinary existence.
Technique & Style
Screenprinting enabled Segal to apply bold, unmodulated colors in distinct layers—red for the torso, pale pink for the arm, green for hair or foliage, and blue for the ground or sky. Edges are deliberately rough, rejecting smooth finishes in favor of tactile immediacy. The technique’s flatness and opacity reinforce the figure’s symbolic rather than realistic presence.
History & Provenance
Created in 1964, Untitled belongs to a limited portfolio produced during a period when Segal was expanding his practice beyond sculpture into printmaking. The portfolio was likely issued in a small edition, with this impression entering MoMA’s collection shortly after its creation. Its inclusion reflects the institution’s interest in postwar American printmakers exploring minimalism and figuration.
Context
In the mid-1960s, American artists were redefining representation through abstraction and seriality. Segal’s screenprints responded to this climate by reducing the human form to essential shapes and colors, paralleling contemporaneous movements like Pop Art and Minimalism. Unlike his plaster sculptures, these prints emphasized process and repetition, distancing the figure from physical presence.
Legacy
Untitled exemplifies Segal’s contribution to printmaking as a medium for conceptual figuration. Its restrained palette and simplified form influenced later artists exploring anonymity and emotional distance in print. Though less known than his sculptures, this work remains a quiet but significant marker in the evolution of American printmaking in the 1960s.
Artist & collection
Artist
George Segal Jr. was an American actor and musician. He became popular in the 1960s and 1970s for playing both dramatic and comedic roles. After first rising to prominence with roles in acclaimed films such as Ship of…
