Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Harold Barling Town. It dates from 1957 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1957, this monoprint by Canadian artist Harold Barling Town presents a vivid, non‑representational composition.
Created in 1957, this monoprint by Canadian artist Harold Barling Town presents a vivid, non‑representational composition. A flat green field is interrupted by irregular dark blue and black forms that range from amorphous blobs to curving lines, while a narrow red stripe runs along the right edge. The overall effect is one of energetic density, with color areas applied in uniform, unmodulated patches.
Subject & Meaning
The work does not depict recognizable objects; instead, it explores the interplay of shape, color, and spatial tension. The juxtaposition of cool tones against the striking red accent generates a visual rhythm that suggests movement and contrast without referring to any specific narrative, aligning with the artist’s interest in pure abstraction.
Technique & Style
Executed as a monoprint, the piece is a one‑of‑a‑kind impression made by transferring ink from a prepared plate onto paper. Town’s disciplined handling of the medium yields crisp, flat color fields and sharp edges, reflecting his background in illustration and his systematic approach to abstract composition.
History & Provenance
Harold Barling Town, a founding member of the Toronto collective Painters Eleven, produced this print during a period when he was expanding beyond painting into various printmaking methods. The artwork entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of mid‑century Canadian abstraction.
Context
The piece embodies the abstract tendencies that defined Toronto’s art scene in the 1950s, a time when Painters Eleven advocated for non‑representational art against prevailing figurative traditions. Town’s monoprint reflects the group’s broader aim to integrate modernist abstraction into Canadian visual culture, contributing to the shift toward experimental media and compositional freedom.
Artist & collection
Artist
Harold Barling Town, D.Litt (June 13, 1924 – December 27, 1990) was a Canadian artist who worked in many different media and modes, but is best known for his abstract paintings.
