Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Jean Fautrier. It dates from 1963 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Jean Fautrier's 1963 woodcut, *Untitled*, exemplifies the spontaneous and expressive qualities of Tachisme, a movement characterized by abstract forms and gestural brushwork. This print features a dominant, dark shape resembling a handprint set against a textured, two-toned background.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of *Untitled* is ambiguous, with a central, dark, handprint-like form set against a mixed greenish-peach background. The composition's abstract nature, typical of Tachisme, invites interpretation while emphasizing the emotional potential of abstracted forms.
Technique & Style
Executed as a woodcut, *Untitled* demonstrates Fautrier's use of a simple carving tool to create the design on wood, which was then inked and printed. The uneven edges and suggested texture reflect the spontaneous, expressive approach of Tachisme.
History & Provenance
Created in 1963, *Untitled* is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, highlighting Fautrier's influence within mid-20th-century European abstract movements.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Fautrier (French pronunciation: ; May 16, 1898 – July 21, 1964) was a French painter, illustrator, printmaker, and sculptor. He was one of the most important practitioners of Tachisme.
