Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Jakob Steinhardt, tempera, 1950
Untitled, by Jakob Steinhardt, tempera, 1950

Untitled is a tempera print by Jakob Steinhardt. It dates from 1950 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Untitled is a 1950 woodcut print by Jakob Steinhardt, held at The Museum of Modern Art. It combines woodcut techniques with hand-added color.

Subject & Meaning

The print features swirling, cloud-like shapes in a range of colors, including deep blues and blacks, and bright streaks of pink, green, and gold. The cloudy forms have wavy edges and a soft, glowing quality.

Technique & Style

Steinhardt created the print's dark lines using woodcut blocks, then added color by hand using tempera, a mixture of pigment and egg yolk. The background retains the texture of the wood grain, adding to the print's tactile quality.

Context

Tempera has been used by artists for centuries, providing a durable and versatile medium for adding color to artworks.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jakob Steinhardt

Artist

Jakob Steinhardt

Jacob Steinhardt was a German-born Israeli painter and woodcut artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.