Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Howard Cook. It dates from 1932 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1932, this lithographic print by American artist Howard Cook presents a quiet, interior scene rendered in stark monochrome. The composition centers on a profile view of a man's face, set against a modest shelf that holds two bound volumes and an apple, accompanied by a pair of spectacles. The work is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection.
Subject & Meaning
The figure’s composed expression and the presence of textbooks titled *Principles of Bookkeeping* and *Principles of Accounting* suggest a moment of study or professional contemplation. The apple, a traditional symbol of knowledge, and the glasses reinforce the theme of intellectual engagement, while the calm demeanor of the sitter conveys focus amid routine scholarly activity.
Technique & Style
Cook employs the lithographic process to achieve crisp, decisive lines and a nuanced play of light and shadow. The sharp contours delineate the facial profile and the objects on the shelf, while subtle tonal gradations give the scene a palpable sense of volume. The overall aesthetic is restrained, emphasizing form and materiality over decorative detail.
History & Provenance
Howard Cook, known for wood engravings and mural commissions, spent the 1920s traveling and working in Europe before establishing himself in Taos, New Mexico. This print, produced in the early 1930s, entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains accessible to scholars and the public as an example of Cook’s printmaking practice.
Artist & collection
Artist
Howard Norton Cook (1901–1980) was an American artist, particularly known for his wood engravings and murals.
