Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache drawing by Katerina Lanfranco. It dates from 2003 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2003 by Katerina Lanfranco, this untitled work combines gouache, foam toy fragments, a synthetic polymer medium, and stamped ink on paper. Classified as a drawing, it is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features two ambiguous animal forms—one reminiscent of an elephant, the other of a large fish—suspended within a swirling, light‑blue field. Labels at the bottom identify the creatures as *Elephas maximus* and *Coryphaena hippurus*, inviting viewers to consider the juxtaposition of terrestrial and marine life.
Technique & Style
Lanfranco employs gouache’s opaque, matte qualities alongside unconventional materials such as cut‑up foam toys and stamped ink. The resulting surface is textured, with soft, faded hues punctuated by darker accents that define the animal silhouettes against the fluid, wavy background.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced in the early 2000s, a period when Lanfranco explored mixed‑media approaches that merge traditional painting with found objects. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, where it remains on view.
Context
During the early 2000s, artists increasingly incorporated everyday materials into fine art, blurring the line between high and low culture. Lanfranco’s integration of foam toys reflects this trend, while the scientific names anchor the work in a natural‑history discourse.
Artist & collection
Artist
Katerina Lanfranco is a New York City-based visual artist making paintings, drawings, sculptures, and mixed media installations.
