Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Karl Schrag. It dates from 1962 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1962, this lithograph by American printmaker Karl Schrag is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Schrag, noted for his prominence in mid‑century American printmaking, produced the work during a period when he was both actively creating prints and teaching the medium. The piece exemplifies his focus on lithography as a primary artistic vehicle.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a solitary, contorted tree emerging from a green‑tinged pool. The trunk and branches are rendered with sharp, angular lines, while the foliage dissolves into uneven, gestural strokes. The water’s surface mirrors the tree in rippled, distorted forms, creating a tension between clarity and abstraction that suggests a dream‑like, ambiguous environment.
Technique & Style
Schrag employed traditional lithographic processes, drawing directly onto a smooth limestone slab with greasy media. The ink adheres to the drawn areas and transfers onto paper under pressure, producing a combination of crisp edges and softer, smudged textures. The contrast of deep blacks against bright greens on a light ground enhances the work’s atmospheric quality.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the lithograph has remained within institutional holdings, ultimately entering the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s mid‑20th‑century focus on American printmaking and the recognition of Schrag’s contributions to the field during that era.
Context
Schrag’s practice in the 1950s and early 1960s coincided with a resurgence of interest in lithography among American artists, who explored the medium’s capacity for both precise line work and expressive tonal variation. This work aligns with that trend, illustrating the balance between technical control and painterly freedom that characterized the period’s print culture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Karl Schrag (December 7, 1912 – December 10, 1995) was an American printmaker and educator. He has been characterized by the National Gallery of Art as "among the most important printmakers in America during the 1950s".
