Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Hernando Tejada. It dates from 1973 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1973, this untitled linoleum cut belongs to a mixed‑media portfolio assembled by Colombian artist Hernando Tejada Sáenz.
Created in 1973, this untitled linoleum cut belongs to a mixed‑media portfolio assembled by Colombian artist Hernando Tejada Sáenz. The work is one of five linoleum cuts within a larger collection of twenty‑five prints that also includes screenprints, etchings, lithographs, an engraving and an intaglio, many of them featuring embossing. The portfolio is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a woman in a striped dress cradling a white, tent‑like form, surrounded by a cat, an owl and a bat amid a dense, dark forest. A luminous yellow background with swirling lines and a sun‑like disc creates a dreamlike atmosphere, suggesting a symbolic interplay between the feminine figure, nocturnal animals and an ambiguous natural realm.
Technique & Style
Tejada carved the composition into a linoleum block, producing bold black outlines and areas of texture that convey depth. The print’s surface shows the characteristic relief of linocut work, while the inclusion of embossing in other portfolio pieces indicates his interest in adding tactile dimension to two‑dimensional prints.
History & Provenance
The portfolio, assembled by Tejada as a comprehensive exploration of printmaking, was acquired by the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains in the print and drawing department. The artist, also known for public sculpture such as *El Gato del Río* in Cali, incorporated recurring motifs of women and cats throughout his career, linking this work to his broader oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hernando Tejada Sáenz (February 1, 1924 in Pereira, Colombia – June 1, 1998 in Cali, Colombia), was a Colombian painter and sculptor.
