Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Jasper Johns. It dates from 1987 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a 1987 print by Jasper Johns, is one of four etchings and aquatints in a series. Characterized by its division into three tall sections, the work combines simple shapes, bold colors, and mixed imagery.
Subject & Meaning
The print's three sections feature distinct elements: a dark figure with a yellow, patterned cloth, a blue shape with a white oval face on a red-brown background, and a purple figure holding a white, vase-like object. The subjects are rendered as cutout or stencil forms, lacking full detail.
Technique & Style
Johns employed etching and aquatint techniques to create the work, resulting in a visual tension between flatness and layering. The incorporation of small stars and lines adds to the composition's complexity. The style blends simplicity of form with vibrant, expressive color.
History & Provenance
Created in 1987, Untitled is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, reflecting Johns' significant contribution to postwar American art across various mediums.
Context
As an artist associated with abstract expressionism, Neo-Dada, and pop art, Johns' Untitled reflects his penchant for everyday imagery and experimentation across painting, sculpture, and printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jasper Johns (born May 15, 1930) is an American painter, sculptor, draftsman, and printmaker.
