Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a crayon drawing by Jake Berthot. It dates from 1989 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1989, this ink and crayon drawing on paper is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1989, this ink and crayon drawing on paper is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Although untitled, the work presents a loosely rendered vase surrounded by gestural marks and a prominent letter “A” on the left margin, suggesting a spontaneous, exploratory approach.
Subject & Meaning
The central form resembles a vase, but its sketchy contours and irregular shading keep it from becoming a finished representation. The surrounding scribbles and the isolated letter invite viewers to consider the interplay between recognizable objects and abstract signs, emphasizing the artist’s interest in the tension between depiction and suggestion.
Technique & Style
Berthot employs a limited palette of light browns and grays, applying ink for the primary outlines and crayon for softer tonal areas. The lines are intentionally wobbly, and the paper bears smudges that reveal the artist’s hand‑on process, reinforcing a sense of immediacy and unfinished gesture.
History & Provenance
The drawing belongs to the early phase of Jake Berthot’s career, a period marked by a strict non‑figurative focus. Though primarily known for abstract paintings that merge minimalist restraint with expressionist vigor, this work demonstrates his occasional forays into drawing. It entered MoMA’s collection as part of a broader acquisition of his oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jake Berthot (1939–2014) was an American artist whose abstract paintings contained elements of both the minimalist and expressionist styles.
