Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Julius Thiengen Bloch. It dates from 1929 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1929, this lithograph by Julius Thiengen Bloch portrays an interior scene with a seated woman and a standing man. The composition is rendered in the characteristic tonal range of lithography, emphasizing the contrast between dark clothing and the lighter interior space. The work is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Subject & Meaning
In the image, a woman in a dark dress, hat, and necklace sits in a chair, holding a cigarette, while a man in a suit stands behind her, holding a book or paper. The arrangement suggests a moment of quiet interaction, perhaps a private conversation or a pause in a social ritual, conveyed through the intimate proximity of the figures.
Technique & Style
Bloch employed the lithographic process, drawing directly onto a limestone or metal plate with greasy media, then using chemical treatment to transfer the image onto paper. The resulting print displays fine gradations of tone and a subtle handling of line, typical of early twentieth‑century lithographs that balance realism with a slightly flattened, graphic quality.
History & Provenance
The work dates to the late 1920s, a period when Bloch was active in the European printmaking scene. It entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on view. The museum acquired the piece as part of its efforts to document the development of modern print media during the interwar years.
Artist & collection
Artist
Julius Thiengen Bloch (1888–1966) was an American artist, born in Kehl.
