Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil print by Kiki Smith. It dates from 2020 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, created in 2020, is a print that combines wax frottage, foil, and pencil. The work is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art and presents a portrait of a woman whose face dominates the composition, framed by flowing hair against a light beige field.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a woman with long hair, rendered with careful attention to facial features. The surrounding background, composed of scattered, colorful fragments, creates a contrast between the intimate portrait and a more ambiguous, decorative space.
Technique & Style
The artist employs wax frottage to generate textured surfaces, while foil elements introduce reflective highlights. Pencil additions define line work and detail, especially in the facial rendering, which leans toward realism, whereas the backdrop remains abstract and expressive.
History & Provenance
Produced in 2020, the piece entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings shortly after its completion. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s interest in contemporary works that explore mixed-media processes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Kiki Smith is a German-born American artist whose work has addressed the themes of sex, birth and regeneration.
