Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Lee Lozano. It dates from 1964 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1964, this drawing by Lee Lozano consists of a stark, monochrome composition punctuated by a vivid red element. Executed in pencil and crayon on paper, the work is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection and exemplifies the artist’s interest in gestural mark‑making and stark contrasts.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents two oversized, shadowy hands that grip a long, red object resembling a tool or weapon. The exaggerated scale of the hands and the aggressive hue of the object suggest a tension between force and vulnerability, inviting viewers to contemplate notions of power, control, and the materiality of the hand as an instrument.
Technique & Style
Lozano employs rapid, uneven strokes in both media: dark, smudged pencil outlines define the hands, while the red crayon is applied in jagged, energetic marks that emphasize the object’s edges. The background is filled with light, loose scribbles, creating a sense of immediacy and allowing the central forms to dominate the visual field.
History & Provenance
The drawing was produced in the mid‑1960s, a period when Lozano was actively exploring minimalist and conceptual approaches. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through acquisition (or donation) and remains on view as part of the institution’s representation of post‑war American drawing.
Artist & collection
