Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by James Rosenquist. It dates from 2012 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2012, this work by James Rosenquist combines a lithographic print with an etched, hand‑colored mirror mounted in a frame designed by the artist. The composition presents a night sky rendered in angular fields of blue, pink and purple, punctuated by luminous stars and diffuse glows, while a central rotating mirror reflects the word “LOVE” in red and blue lettering.
Subject & Meaning
The piece juxtaposes celestial imagery with a textual element, inviting viewers to consider the relationship between universal symbols—such as the night sky—and personal or cultural signifiers like the word “LOVE.” The moving mirror adds a kinetic dimension, suggesting the fluidity of meaning in a visual field shaped by advertising and popular culture.
Technique & Style
Rosenquist employed traditional lithography to produce the layered, graphic background, then etched a circular mirror that he hand‑colored and installed within the frame. The mirror’s ability to rotate under changing viewpoints creates an interactive visual effect, echoing the artist’s background in commercial sign painting and his interest in bold, graphic forms.
History & Provenance
The work belongs to Rosenquist’s late period, when he revisited print media and incorporated kinetic elements. It was produced in the artist’s studio and remains part of his estate’s collection, having been exhibited in several contemporary art venues that focus on pop‑art and printmaking.
Context
Rosenquist, a central figure in American pop art, consistently explored the impact of advertising and consumer imagery. This lithograph continues that trajectory, merging everyday textual motifs with a stylized astronomical scene, thereby extending his long‑standing dialogue between commercial visual language and fine art.
Artist & collection
Artist
James Albert Rosenquist (November 29, 1933 – March 31, 2017) was an American artist and one of the proponents of the pop art movement.
