Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Grayson Perry in 2004.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.

Untitled by Grayson Perry (2004) — Meaning & Museum

About this work

Overview

Created in 2004, this black-and-white etching by Grayson Perry is part of The Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Unlike traditional cartography, the work presents a fictional landscape that blends personal memory with cultural observation. Rendered in fine, intricate lines, the image resembles a hand-drawn map, densely populated with symbols and micro-scenes that invite close, prolonged viewing.

Subject & Meaning

The inclusion of personal motifs, such as references to his childhood teddy bear, transforms the landscape into an internal topography of memory and belonging.

Titled 'Map of an Englishman,' the work functions as a psychological and social portrait rather than a geographic one. It weaves together real and imagined elements—rivers, hamlets, ships, and farms—each representing fragments of Perry’s identity and broader English life. The inclusion of personal motifs, such as references to his childhood teddy bear, transforms the landscape into an internal topography of memory and belonging.

Technique & Style

Executed as an etching, the piece relies on acid-bitten lines to achieve its fine, detailed texture. Perry’s hand-drawn aesthetic mimics cartographic drafting but with expressive, almost obsessive precision. The border, adorned with a woven pattern, echoes decorative arts traditions, contrasting with the chaotic interior. The monochrome palette enhances the sense of archival intimacy, reinforcing the work’s autobiographical tone.

History & Provenance

This etching was produced during a period when Perry was expanding his practice beyond ceramics into printmaking. It entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, reflecting institutional recognition of his interdisciplinary approach. The work aligns with his broader project of using craft-based techniques to interrogate class, identity, and national myth.

Context

Perry’s work emerges from a British artistic tradition that blends satire, autobiography, and folk aesthetics. In the early 2000s, he challenged conventional boundaries between high and low culture, using decorative forms to explore taboo subjects. This etching reflects his interest in mapping inner lives through outward symbols, positioning the individual as both subject and landscape.

Legacy

The etching exemplifies Perry’s influence in redefining contemporary printmaking as a vehicle for personal and social narrative. Its detailed, encyclopedic style has inspired artists to treat maps not as tools of navigation but as repositories of identity. The work remains a touchstone for those exploring how craft, memory, and cultural critique intersect in visual form.