Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a drawing by Gilbert Proesch, George Passmore Gilbert & George. It dates from 1981 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a 1981 work by collaborative artists Gilbert & George (Gilbert Proesch and George Passmore), is a composite drawing on paperboard featuring a grid arrangement of postcard images. Currently part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, it explores themes of identity, royalty, and visual pattern through repetitive imagery.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork juxtaposes two primary subjects across its grid: a realistically detailed portrait of a man in red (shown in profile in the top row) and an ornate crown adorned with purple and gold (prominent in the bottom row). Alternating middle rows create a visual dialogue between the individual and symbols of regality.
Technique & Style
Gilbert & George employ a realistic drawing style for the man's portrait, emphasizing facial and attire details. The crown's rendering conveys regality through its vibrant, ornamental accents. The use of postcards as the medium introduces elements of nostalgia and playfulness, while the grid composition achieves symmetry and rhythmic harmony through repetition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1981 by Gilbert & George, the work is now held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, indicating its recognition within the contemporary art canon.
Context
Emerging from the 1981 artistic landscape, Untitled reflects Gilbert & George's characteristic exploration of themes related to identity, symbolism, and the everyday, contextualized within the broader practices of conceptual and collage art of the time.
Legacy
As part of Gilbert & George's body of work, Untitled contributes to the artists' legacy of challenging traditional notions of art and identity through innovative composition and symbolism, influencing subsequent generations of artists in conceptual and mixed-media practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gilbert Proesch, George Passmore Gilbert & George
Gilbert & George, Gilbert Proesch, George Passmore was a British artist.
