Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Katinka Mann. It dates from 1997 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
The darkest parts are the inside corners, while the edges fade to lighter gray.
This image shows a simple black-and-white shape on a white background. It looks like a tilted, open box or a folded piece of paper with sharp edges. The darkest parts are the inside corners, while the edges fade to lighter gray.
The lines are clean and precise, almost like a sketch. It’s part of a set of 40 similar prints made in 1997.
If you like this style, check out lithography to see how it’s made.
Overview
Created in 1997, this untitled lithograph is part of a series of forty prints produced by artist Katinka Mann. The work is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed among other examples of late‑20th‑century printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The image consists of a stark black‑and‑white geometric form that suggests an open, tilted box or a folded sheet of paper. Its sharp edges and recessed interior corners create a sense of depth despite the minimal palette, inviting viewers to contemplate the tension between two‑dimensional representation and three‑dimensional suggestion.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the print demonstrates the medium’s capacity for precise, clean lines and subtle tonal gradations. Mann’s handling of the stone or metal plate yields crisp outlines that transition from deep black in the interior angles to lighter gray along the edges, emphasizing the work’s structural clarity.
History & Provenance
The lithograph was produced as one of a cohesive portfolio of forty prints in 1997, reflecting Mann’s exploration of form and print processes during that period. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, becoming part of the institution’s holdings of contemporary print media.
Context
Mann’s untitled piece aligns with a broader late‑1990s interest in minimal abstraction and the revival of traditional print techniques among contemporary artists. The work’s geometric simplicity and focus on materiality echo parallel developments in both fine art and design, situating it within ongoing dialogues about the boundaries of drawing and print.
Artist & collection
Artist
Katinka Mann was an American artist and sculptor. Mann was born in New York City on June 28, 1925. Her work is included in the collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and…
