Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil drawing by Jay DeFeo. It dates from 1976 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1976, this untitled drawing by Jay DeFeo combines cut paper, acrylic, oil crayon, ink, pencil and pressure‑sensitive tape, all affixed to a sheet of paper. The composition presents a solitary, elongated figure in a hat, rendered in stark, angular lines against an unadorned background.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure appears rigid and shadowy, its face reduced to a few swift strokes. Contrasting dark tones with lighter accents on the hat and collar, DeFeo suggests a presence that is both defined and elusive, inviting contemplation of identity and anonymity.
Technique & Style
DeFeo employs a collage‑like process, cutting and layering paper fragments, then securing them with tape before applying acrylic, crayon, ink and pencil. The resulting surface is textured and fragmented, with jagged edges and uneven shapes that emphasize the work’s materiality.
History & Provenance
Associated with the 1950s Beat scene in San Francisco, DeFeo continued to explore unconventional media throughout her career. This piece, made in the mid‑1970s, demonstrates her ongoing experimentation beyond the large‑scale painting *The Rose*, extending her reputation for innovative, mixed‑media practice.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jay DeFeo (31 March 1929 – 11 November 1989) was an American visual artist who became celebrated in the 1950s as part of the spirited community of Beat artists, musicians, and poets in San Francisco.
