Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Juan Cárdenas. It dates from 1973 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1973, this black‑and‑white print by Colombian artist Juan Cárdenas is an engraving that forms part of a larger portfolio encompassing various printmaking techniques. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed among other mid‑20th‑century prints.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a solitary male figure, dark‑haired and dressed in a white shirt beneath a dark vest, turned toward the left. His hands are extended forward, palms up, suggesting a gesture of reception or anticipation. The stark white background isolates the figure, focusing attention on his posture and the implied narrative of waiting or offering.
Technique & Style
Executed as an engraving, the piece demonstrates fine line work and subtle shading that create a sense of volume within the monochrome field. Cárdenas employs delicate cross‑hatching and tonal variation to model the figure’s features, while the clean, unadorned background emphasizes the precision of the printmaking process.
History & Provenance
The engraving was produced in 1973 and later incorporated into a portfolio that includes eleven screenprints, seven etchings, six lithographs, five linoleum cuts, an additional engraving, and an intaglio with embossing. The Museum of Modern Art acquired the work, where it remains part of the institution’s print collection.
Artist & collection
