Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Henry Ossawa Tanner in 1912.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.

Artwork

Untitled

Henry Ossawa Tanner , 1912

Untitled is an ink print by Henry Ossawa Tanner. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1912, this untitled etching by Henry Ossawa Tanner is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art. Executed in the printmaking medium of etching, the work presents a nocturnal urban scene rendered in fine, grainy lines.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a dimly lit street where a deteriorating building dominates the background. Rough stone walls and a precarious roof suggest decay, while a handful of cloaked figures gather near a doorway, some seated or kneeling, their backs turned to the viewer, evoking a sense of quiet anonymity.

Technique & Style

Tanner employed the etching process, incising lines into a metal plate to achieve varied textures. The artist’s use of cross‑hatching conveys the gritty surfaces of walls and fabric, while stark contrasts of light and shadow create an uneven illumination that heightens the scene’s atmospheric tension.

History & Provenance

The print entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings after its creation in the early 1910s, though details of its acquisition remain limited. Its presence in the museum underscores Tanner’s engagement with print media alongside his more widely known paintings.