Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an acrylic drawing by Ken Price. It dates from 1966 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1966, this untitled work by Ken Price combines acrylic, pastel, colored pencil, and graphite on paper. It resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art and is classified as a drawing rather than a traditional painting, reflecting the artist’s experimental approach to mixed media.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents an abstract, bulbous figure rendered in pink, set against a muted blue‑gray field. The form consists of a smaller rounded upper portion and a broader, elongated lower section, intersected by sweeping lines in purple, brown, and blue that suggest movement and internal tension without depicting a recognizable subject.
Technique & Style
Price employs a layered surface, applying acrylic washes for background tones and building texture with pastel and colored pencil strokes. Graphite adds definition to the curvilinear lines, while the varied media create a tactile, rough quality that emphasizes the work’s gestural, non‑representational character.
History & Provenance
The piece entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings shortly after its creation, becoming part of the institution’s mid‑1960s acquisitions that document the rise of abstract drawing practices in American art. Its provenance remains straightforward, with no recorded changes of ownership prior to MoMA.
Context
During the mid‑1960s, Price was transitioning from ceramic sculpture to two‑dimensional work, exploring color fields and organic forms. This drawing reflects that period of experimentation, aligning with broader movements toward abstraction and the integration of multiple drawing media in contemporary art.
Artist & collection
