Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Heinz Mack. It dates from 1973 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1973 by German artist Heinz Mack, this untitled work belongs to the print medium and is part of the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. It combines a variety of printmaking processes, resulting in a richly textured surface that merges flat and raised areas.
Subject & Meaning
The composition consists of two large, fan‑like forms that converge at the center, one rendered in deep black and the other in a translucent blue. Radiating lines emanate from the meeting point, suggesting motion or rotation, while the muted gray background emphasizes the geometric precision of the shapes.
Technique & Style
Mack employed an extensive mix of print techniques: screenprinting, embossing, lithography, aquatint, collotype, etching, drypoint, engraving, and woodcut. The combination of smooth inked surfaces with tactile embossing creates a subtle interplay of light and shadow, especially evident in the faint glow of the blue element.
History & Provenance
The work was produced as part of a larger portfolio that included thirty‑one lithographs, twenty‑two screenprints, eleven etchings, three aquatints, and two woodcuts, each exploring different print processes. After its creation, the piece entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection, where it remains on display.
Context
Mack’s practice in the early 1970s often explored the possibilities of industrial and mechanical processes in art. This untitled print reflects his interest in the visual language of geometry and kinetic illusion, aligning with broader trends in post‑war abstraction and the rise of serial print production.
Artist & collection
Artist
Heinz Mack is a German artist. Together with Otto Piene he founded the ZERO movement in 1957. He exhibited works at documenta in 1964 and 1977 and he represented Germany at the 1970 Venice Biennale. He is best known for…
