Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Jennifer Bartlett in 1974.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Contemporary Abstract.

Artwork

Untitled

Jennifer Bartlett , 1974

Untitled is an unspecified painting by the Contemporary Abstract artist Jennifer Bartlett. It dates from 1974 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1974, this work consists of seventy‑eight enamel‑coated steel squares arranged in a regular grid.

About this work

Overview

The individual panels are modest in size, each bearing simple geometric motifs—triangles, lines and arrows—set against white, gray or blue fields.

Created in 1974, this work consists of seventy‑eight enamel‑coated steel squares arranged in a regular grid. The individual panels are modest in size, each bearing simple geometric motifs—triangles, lines and arrows—set against white, gray or blue fields. Together the units generate a large, abstract surface that shifts from light, almost tentative markings at the top to darker, more assertive forms toward the bottom.

Subject & Meaning

The composition relies on elementary shapes rendered in stark black, suggesting a visual language of symbols and gestures. While the arrangement appears random, recurring patterns in certain rows hint at a controlled system underlying the apparent spontaneity, inviting viewers to consider the balance between order and chance.

Technique & Style

Bartlett employed enamel and baked enamel on steel, a medium that yields a smooth, glossy finish and durable surface. The modular format allows each square to be produced individually before being assembled, reflecting the artist’s interest in systematic, repeatable processes combined with the expressive qualities of painterly mark‑making.

History & Provenance

The piece belongs to the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it has been displayed as an example of Bartlett’s early exploration of grid‑based, modular painting. Its acquisition underscores the institution’s recognition of her contribution to the dialogue between conceptual rigor and expressive abstraction in the 1970s.