Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink drawing by Landès Lewitin. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a work dated 1940 by Landès Lewitin, is classified as a drawing made from cut‑and‑pasted colored photo‑engravings. The piece is part of the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed among other mid‑century experimental works.
Subject & Meaning
The composition assembles fragments of old photographs and printed matter to form a domestic interior. A diminutive figure in dark clothing stands beside a bed draped with a red blanket, while a lamp with a rounded shade, a curtained window, and a mirrored dresser complete the scene. The uneven walls, patched in blue, yellow and brown, suggest a fragmented memory of interior space.
Technique & Style
Lewitin employed actual printed images—advertisements, photographs, and paper ephemera—as raw material, cutting and reassembling them into a cohesive tableau. The colors appear faded, and the edges show signs of tearing and scratching, emphasizing the tactile quality of the collage. Engraving techniques are evident in the textured surfaces, adding depth to the assembled elements.
History & Provenance
Created during the early years of World War II, the work entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through acquisition in the post‑war period, reflecting the institution’s interest in avant‑garde collage and mixed‑media practices of the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Landès Lewitin was an American painter and theorist associated with the postwar New York School.
