Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Jiro Takamatsu, paint, 1972
Untitled, by Jiro Takamatsu, paint, 1972

Untitled is a paint drawing by Jiro Takamatsu. It dates from 1972 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Untitled is a 1972 drawing by Jirō Takamatsu, created using torn colored paper on paper. It is a representative work of the artist's multidisciplinary practice, which explored perception and representation.

Technique & Style

The artwork features a black background with jagged, torn shapes, achieved through a process of tearing colored paper. The rough, uneven edges and varying textures of the torn bits create a raw, unfinished appearance, highlighting the physical properties of the material.

Subject & Meaning

By using torn paper, Takamatsu draws attention to the role of texture in shaping perception. The work's simplicity belies a nuanced exploration of the relationship between material and visual interpretation.

Context

Untitled reflects Takamatsu's involvement with the Zero movement, a postwar avant-garde tendency that emphasized experimentation and conceptual approaches to art.

History & Provenance

The work is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, underscoring its significance within Takamatsu's oeuvre and the broader context of postwar Japanese art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jiro Takamatsu

Jirō Takamatsu (高松 次郎, Takamatsu Jirō; 20 February 1936 – 25 June 1998) was one of the most important postwar Japanese artists.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.