Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Julie Mehretu. It dates from 2007 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Unlike traditional prints, it merges precise line work with atmospheric tonal gradients to evoke motion and spatial complexity without literal representation.
Julie Mehretu's Untitled, created in 2007, is an etching and aquatint on paper held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art. The work belongs to her broader exploration of abstraction, where architectural and natural forms are distilled into layered, gestural marks. Unlike traditional prints, it merges precise line work with atmospheric tonal gradients to evoke motion and spatial complexity without literal representation.
Subject & Meaning
A bird in flight emerges subtly within the composition, its wings stretched across the frame, rendered in muted grays with faint traces of blue and brown. Rather than serving as a literal symbol, the form functions as a focal point amid a dense field of abstract lines and smudged textures. It suggests movement through space, evoking themes of migration, transformation, or the fleeting nature of presence within chaotic environments.
Technique & Style
Mehretu employs etching for sharp, incised lines and aquatint to achieve soft, tonal transitions. The interplay of these methods builds depth through overlapping strata of ink, creating a sense of layered history within the image. The grayscale palette reinforces ambiguity, allowing forms to emerge and recede, while the texture invites close viewing, revealing the physicality of the printmaking process.
History & Provenance
Produced in 2007, this print was acquired by The Museum of Modern Art shortly after its creation. It reflects Mehretu’s growing engagement with print media during a period when her large-scale paintings were gaining international attention. The work’s inclusion in MoMA’s collection underscores its significance within the context of contemporary printmaking and the artist’s evolving practice.
Context
Created during a time when Mehretu was increasingly exploring cartographic and architectural references, Untitled aligns with her interest in mapping invisible systems—social, political, and natural. The bird, though central, is one of few figurative elements in her oeuvre, making it a rare point of entry into her otherwise non-representational language, grounded in the dynamics of movement and accumulation.
Legacy
This print contributes to the redefinition of etching as a medium capable of conveying complex, contemporary narratives. Mehretu’s integration of traditional techniques with abstract, layered compositions has influenced a generation of artists working at the intersection of printmaking and conceptual art, expanding the possibilities of what a single printed image can hold.
Artist & collection
Artist
Julie Mehretu is an Ethiopian American contemporary visual artist, known for her multi-layered paintings of abstracted landscapes on a large scale.
