Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Kiki Smith in 1985.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.

Untitled by Kiki Smith (1985) — Meaning & Museum

About this work

The background is mostly blank white, but there’s a faint shadowy blob in the top right.

This print has a dark, smudgy shape in the center with a few lighter lines inside. The background is mostly blank white, but there’s a faint shadowy blob in the top right. The colors are mostly black and gold, with some ink bleeding around the edges.

The gold lines look like they might be scratches or marks added after printing. This piece is part of a small set of prints made in 1985.

Check out cross-hatching to see how artists use lines to create texture.

Overview

Untitled is a 1985 print by Kiki Smith, part of a portfolio of nine screenprints and monotypes with ink additions, housed in The Museum of Modern Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print's central dark, smudgy shape, accompanied by lighter internal lines, and a faint shadowy blob in the top right, suggests an ambiguous, possibly organic form, though its specific subject or symbolism is not explicitly clear.

Technique & Style

The work features a predominantly black and gold color scheme, with noticeable ink bleeding around the edges. Gold lines, resembling post-printing scratches or marks, introduce a tactile element, while the overall composition leverages negative space.

History & Provenance

Created in 1985 as one of nine pieces in its portfolio, the print is now part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, indicating its recognition within the contemporary art canon.

Context

Emerging in the 1980s, this piece aligns with Kiki Smith's explorations of the human form and experience, though its abstracted approach differs from her more figurative works, highlighting her versatility.

Legacy

As part of Smith's diverse output, 'Untitled' contributes to her broader impact on contemporary printmaking and mixed media practices, particularly in experimenting with texture and abstraction.