Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink drawing by H. C. Westermann. It dates from 1965 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1965 by American artist H.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1965 by American artist H. C. Westermann, this ink-on-paper drawing, titled Untitled, is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art. The work presents a cramped kitchen scene rendered in rapid, sketch‑like lines, populated by two exaggerated figures and a flurry of textual elements.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts two cartoonish characters amid kitchen chaos: one slumps over a table, appearing unconscious, while the other stands nearby, holding a drink and displaying irritation. Speech bubbles convey fragmented dialogue about the absence of television or radio and a reference to prunes, while a nickname, “Ole Farto,” adds a humorous, perhaps confrontational tone.
Technique & Style
Westermann employs a dense network of quick, gestural strokes to convey movement and disorder. Large, expressive faces dominate the figures, and cross‑hatching builds tonal depth through layered lines. The inclusion of skulls, crosses, and floating speech bubbles contributes to a frenetic, comic‑book aesthetic that underscores the scene’s absurdity.
History & Provenance
The drawing entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings after its creation in the mid‑1960s, reflecting Westermann’s interest in combining humor with social commentary. Its acquisition by MoMA situates the work within the broader context of post‑war American drawing practices and the artist’s evolving exploration of narrative illustration.
Artist & collection
Artist
Horace Clifford Westermann was an American sculptor and printmaker. His sculptures frequently incorporate traditional carpentry, marquetry techniques, mixed media, and a range of personal, literary, artistic, and pop-cultural references.
