Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Jasper Johns. It dates from 1978 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1978, this screenprint by Jasper Johns belongs to the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The work consists of two adjoining panels filled with overlapping, crumpled forms rendered in a limited palette of dark brown, black, gold and touches of white. The composition suggests a tangled mass, evoking the visual density of folded paper or fabric.
Technique & Style
Johns employed a stencil-like screenprinting process, building up layers of shape to achieve a dense, textured surface. The repeated, irregular silhouettes generate a sense of repetition while maintaining a hand-made quality. The limited color scheme and the juxtaposition of matte and luminous areas reflect his ongoing interest in the materiality of printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The imagery does not depict a recognizable object; instead, it foregrounds the act of marking and the physicality of the printed surface. By arranging abstract, paper-like forms, Johns invites viewers to consider the relationship between process, surface, and perception, extending his broader inquiry into everyday visual language.
History & Provenance
Jasper Johns, born in 1930, emerged as a pivotal figure in post‑war American art, intersecting abstract expressionism, Neo‑Dada, and early pop art. After brief studies at the University of South Carolina and Parsons, he served in the Korean War before establishing his career. This particular print entered MoMA’s holdings as part of its effort to document his print oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jasper Johns (born May 15, 1930) is an American painter, sculptor, draftsman, and printmaker.
