Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Jennifer Bartlett. It dates from 1992 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1992, this untitled work is one of a trio of prints that combine etching with aquatint. It features a central black disc surrounded by a precise border of tiny, enamel‑coated steel squares rendered in shades of blue, brown and white. The arrangement forms a square frame that emphasizes the contrast between the dark void and the surrounding colored field.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on an empty black circle, its stark surface inviting contemplation of absence. Encircling it, the orderly rows of colored dots generate a visual rhythm that guides the viewer’s eye outward, suggesting a dialogue between void and presence, simplicity and patterned complexity.
Technique & Style
Bartlett employed a grid of small, square enamel‑coated steel plates as the matrix for the print, a method she explored extensively in the early 1990s. Etching defines the black central form, while aquatint creates the subtle tonal variations of the surrounding colored dots, merging systematic structure with a painterly surface.
History & Provenance
The piece belongs to a series of three prints produced during a period when Bartlett was integrating conceptual rigor with expressive mark‑making. It was issued as part of a limited edition, reflecting the artist’s interest in reproducible media and the tactile qualities of printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jennifer Bartlett (née Losch; March 14, 1941 – July 25, 2022) was an American artist and novelist.
