Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Lester F. Johnson, ink, 1957
Untitled, by Lester F. Johnson, ink, 1957

Untitled is an ink print by Lester F. Johnson. It dates from 1957 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Untitled is a 1957 woodcut by American artist Lester F. Johnson, associated with the Second Generation of the New York School. The print is a black-and-white depiction of a man's face, characterized by rough, expressive lines.

Technique & Style

The work showcases Johnson's use of woodcut, a technique that allows for bold, gestural marks. The carving style, reminiscent of quick pencil strokes, contributes to the overall expressive quality of the piece.

Subject & Meaning

Johnson's focus on the human figure is evident in Untitled, which presents a simplified, abstracted representation of a man's face. The repeated printing of this image over nearly thirty years suggests a personal, introspective dimension to the work.

History & Provenance

Untitled is part of the collection at The Museum of Modern Art. Johnson continued to print the image long after its initial creation, producing multiple copies over the course of nearly three decades.

Artist & collection

Artist

Lester F. Johnson

Lester Johnson (January 27, 1919 – May 30, 2010) was an American artist and educator.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.