Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Joaquín Macías. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1940, this untitled etching by Joaquín Macías is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art. Executed as a print, the work presents a solitary bear nestled amid a densely rendered woodland, its dark, textured coat contrasting with the intricate foliage that surrounds it.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a bear curled in a protective pose, its head tucked against its forepaws. The surrounding trees and leaves, suggested by a network of fine lines, evoke a sense of enclosure and natural habitat, inviting contemplation of the animal’s relationship to its environment.
Technique & Style
Macías employed traditional etching methods, incising the plate to produce deep, velvety shadows alongside sharply delineated details. The interplay of dense cross‑hatching and precise line work creates a tactile surface that gives the bear a near‑sculptural presence, enhancing the illusion of depth within the two‑dimensional medium.
History & Provenance
The print entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings after its creation in the early 1940s, though specific acquisition details remain limited. Its presence in the museum’s collection underscores the artist’s engagement with printmaking during a period when Mexican artists were expanding the expressive possibilities of the medium.
Artist & collection
