Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink drawing by Harry Bertoia. It dates from 1960 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a drawing created by Harry Bertoia around 1960, using monoprint and ink on rice paper. It is a characteristic work of the mid-20th-century modernist period.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing features five simple forms, including wavy, stacked shapes on the left, seed or leaf-like shapes in the center, and two slender trees alongside a spiky orb on the right. The forms evoke natural elements, such as fabric, reeds, or foliage.
Technique & Style
Bertoia employed thin, repeated lines to create texture and shading, resulting in a sketchy, ephemeral quality. The use of layered lines to build up form is reminiscent of techniques like cross-hatching, which artists use to convey depth and dimension.
History & Provenance
Harry Bertoia, born in Italy in 1915, immigrated to the United States and became a notable figure in sculpture, sound art, and furniture design. Untitled is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Harry Bertoia (March 10, 1915 – November 6, 1978), son of Giuseppe Antonio Bertoia and Maria Secunda Mussio, was an Italian-born American artist, sound art sculptor, and modern furniture designer.
