Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Lawrence Weiner. It dates from 1974 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
You see black text on a white poster. The words say "Broken Off / Abgebrochen." It’s printed in German and English. The text sits in the center, big and bold.
This is a lithograph from 1974. Lithography prints text like an image. The artist liked words as art, not just decoration. He wanted the message to stand alone.
Look up the artist next: Lawrence Weiner.
Overview
Created in 1974, this lithographic poster by Lawrence Weiner is part of his broader investigation into language as a physical and conceptual medium.
Created in 1974, this lithographic poster by Lawrence Weiner is part of his broader investigation into language as a physical and conceptual medium. Printed in black on white, the work presents two phrases—'Broken Off' and 'Abgebrochen'—in equal, centered typographic weight. It was produced as a limited edition print, reflecting Weiner’s interest in making art accessible beyond traditional gallery formats.
Subject & Meaning
The dual-language text—English and German—invites reflection on translation, cultural context, and the instability of meaning. 'Broken Off' suggests interruption or termination, while its German counterpart reinforces the idea without adding narrative. The words are not illustrative; they function as the artwork itself, challenging viewers to consider language as a standalone object rather than a vehicle for description.
Technique & Style
Lithography allowed Weiner to render text with the precision of graphic design, treating words as visual forms rather than literary content. The bold, sans-serif typeface is unadorned and centrally aligned, eliminating decorative elements. This method aligns with his rejection of traditional art materials—here, ink on paper becomes the sculptural medium, with no imagery beyond the printed word.
History & Provenance
Produced in 1974, the poster was part of a series of language-based prints Weiner created during a period of intense experimentation with textual art. It was distributed through artist-run spaces and publications, emphasizing dissemination over singular ownership. Its existence as a multiple reflects Weiner’s commitment to dematerializing the art object and prioritizing idea over uniqueness.
Context
In the 1970s, Conceptual Art moved away from physical objects toward ideas and systems. Weiner’s work emerged alongside peers who questioned the commodification of art. By using language in public and printed formats, he positioned art within everyday experience, rejecting the gallery as the sole site of meaning and instead embedding thought in accessible, reproducible forms.
Legacy
This poster exemplifies Weiner’s lasting influence on how language functions in contemporary art. His insistence that text can be sculpture without form or material reshaped artistic practice, inspiring generations to treat words as spatial, conceptual, and political tools. The work remains a reference point in discussions about art’s autonomy from representation and its capacity to exist as pure proposition.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lawrence Charles Weiner (February 10, 1942 – December 2, 2021) was an artist born and raised in New York City.
