Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Giuseppe Penone in 1986.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.

Artwork

Untitled

Giuseppe Penone , 1986

Untitled is a drawing by Giuseppe Penone. It dates from 1986 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1986, this work consists of four torn sheets of white paper assembled together, each bearing irregularly placed plaster deposits.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1986, this work consists of four torn sheets of white paper assembled together, each bearing irregularly placed plaster deposits.

Created in 1986, this work consists of four torn sheets of white paper assembled together, each bearing irregularly placed plaster deposits. The plaster forms modest elevations that evoke miniature terrains across the paper’s surface, while the ragged edges of the sheets emphasize the material’s fragility. The piece is presented as a drawing, though its three‑dimensional relief invites tactile consideration.

Technique & Style

Penone applied fresh plaster directly onto the torn paper, allowing it to set in uneven blobs that rise like tiny hills. The contrast between the smooth, pale plaster and the coarse, fibrous paper highlights a dialogue between industrial and organic textures. The modest scale and use of everyday materials align with the artist’s preference for modest, process‑driven interventions.

Context

The work belongs to the period when Penone was active within the Arte Povera movement, a post‑war Italian tendency that favored low‑cost, unconventional substances over traditional media. By employing plaster and paper—materials associated with construction and everyday life—he continued the movement’s inquiry into the relationship between natural forms and human manipulation.

Subject & Meaning

Through the simple act of pressing plaster onto paper, the piece suggests a miniature landscape, prompting reflection on how human gestures can shape and reveal natural topographies. The random distribution of the lumps resists a narrative, instead offering an open field for viewers to contemplate the interplay of materiality, growth, and decay.