Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache drawing by John Baldessari. It dates from 1991 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, created by John Baldessari in 1991, is a mixed-media drawing combining gouache, ink, crayon, cut-and-taped printed paper, and graph paper. This piece exemplifies the artist's late-career experimentation with layered materials and techniques.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features two juxtaposed elements: a red square with a white hand (overpainted with thick, uneven gouache strokes) and a black silhouette of a head and arm, both reaching toward the square. The interaction between these figures suggests a thematic focus on connection or reaching, characteristic of Baldessari's conceptual explorations.
Technique & Style
Baldessari employed a distinctive mix of media: opaque, matte gouache for the red square, ink or crayon for the white hand, and cut-and-taped paper for the black silhouette. The graph paper base adds a grid-like underlay, contrasting with the expressive, uneven brushstrokes and the crisp, cut silhouette.
History & Provenance
Produced in 1991, during a period of diverse creative output for Baldessari, *Untitled* is now part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, reflecting the institution's recognition of the artist's innovative practices.
Context
This work aligns with Baldessari's 1970s shift towards conceptual art, incorporating found elements (printed paper) and combining visual with potential linguistic implications (though none are explicitly present here), characteristic of his broader artistic trajectory.
Legacy
As part of Baldessari's oeuvre, *Untitled* contributes to the artist's influence on subsequent generations of conceptual and mixed-media artists, highlighting the versatility of combining disparate techniques and found materials in contemporary practice.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Anthony Baldessari (June 17, 1931 – January 2, 2020) was an American conceptual artist known for his work featuring found photography and appropriated images.
