Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Larry Rivers. It dates from 1987 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Larry Rivers’ 1987 lithograph, titled Untitled, is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Executed in the print medium, the work presents a single, sketch‑like image that merges figurative and fantastical elements in a compact composition.
Subject & Meaning
The picture depicts a man dressed in a yellow coat with dark buttons, his expression light‑hearted and slightly comic. He bears a pair of bird‑like wings and cradles a small dog, while a muted cityscape with buildings and a cloudy sky forms the backdrop, suggesting a playful juxtaposition of the everyday and the mythic.
Technique & Style
Rivers employed the lithographic process to achieve loose, rapid lines that resemble a quick drawing. The rendering is intentionally sketchy, with fluid contours that emphasize spontaneity over precise detail, reflecting his interest in blending abstract gestures with recognizable forms.
History & Provenance
Created in 1987, the lithograph entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s ongoing commitment to documenting the work of artists who navigated the shift from abstract expressionism to pop‑inflected narrative art.
Context
Rivers is noted for straddling abstract and narrative traditions, playing a pivotal role in the emergence of Pop art. By integrating non‑objective abstraction with representational motifs, his practice anticipated later movements that explored the dialogue between high art and popular culture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Larry Rivers (born Yitzroch Loiza Grossberg; August 17, 1923 – August 14, 2002) was an American painter, musician, filmmaker, and occasional actor.
