Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by John Korner. It dates from 1967 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
To explore more works by artists who experiment with bold colors and abstract forms, check out the works of John Korner.
This abstract screenprint features a light gray background with a white cloud-like shape in the center. Two yellow starbursts emerge from the cloud, with a long, thin yellow shape extending from the left starburst.
The print is part of a portfolio of 13 screenprints, with one featuring hand additions. It was created by John Korner in 1967 and published the following year.
To explore more works by artists who experiment with bold colors and abstract forms, check out the works of John Korner.
Overview
Untitled is a screenprint produced as part of a thirteen‑piece series, one of which incorporates hand‑applied elements. The image presents a light gray field punctuated by a central, cloud‑like white shape. From this form two yellow radiations burst outward, while a slender yellow line extends from the left‑hand burst, creating a simple yet dynamic composition.
Subject & Meaning
The work relies on abstract visual language rather than representational content. The juxtaposition of soft, cloud‑like forms with sharp, star‑burst motifs suggests a tension between calmness and sudden illumination, inviting viewers to contemplate the interplay of light and space.
Technique & Style
Executed through screenprinting, the piece demonstrates the artist’s interest in layered, flat color fields and precise graphic outlines. The limited palette—gray, white, and yellow—highlights the medium’s capacity for crisp edges and uniform washes, while the occasional hand additions in the series underscore a willingness to blend mechanical reproduction with manual intervention.
History & Provenance
Created by Danish artist John Kørner in 1967, the print was issued the following year as part of his early portfolio. Kørner, who later studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (1992‑1998) and worked primarily in Copenhagen, has consistently explored motifs such as figures, animals, vessels, and trees across his oeuvre, though this particular piece remains non‑figurative.
Context
The series emerged during a period when many Scandinavian artists were experimenting with print media to investigate the relationship between reproducibility and originality. Kørner’s inclusion of hand‑added details in one of the thirteen prints reflects a broader dialogue about the boundaries between mass‑produced imagery and the artist’s hand.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Kørner (born in 1967) is a Danish artist based in Copenhagen. Kørner was born in Aarhus, Denmark. He attended the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen between 1992 and 1998. His paintings feature a…
