Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Liliana Porter. It dates from 1968 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1968, this untitled photogravure belongs to a series of ten prints by Argentine-born artist Liliana Porter. The work is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection, where it is displayed as an example of her early exploration of geometric abstraction through printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents two gray squares arranged in a slightly off‑center stack, the upper block tilted so its edges do not align with the lower one. The composition suggests a sense of floating or suspension, inviting viewers to consider balance, tension, and the visual weight of simple forms without any representational cues.
Technique & Style
Executed as a photogravure, the print employs a grainy, paper‑like background that softens the edges of the squares and imparts a subtle fuzziness. The method allows for fine tonal variation while maintaining the crisp geometry of the shapes, characteristic of Porter’s interest in the interplay between precision and ambiguity.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced as one of ten related prints in a portfolio assembled by Porter in the late 1960s. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through acquisition shortly after its creation, reflecting the institution’s early recognition of Porter’s contribution to contemporary print media.
Context
During the late 1960s, Porter’s work intersected with broader movements that emphasized minimalism and conceptual art. By reducing visual language to basic geometric elements, she aligned with contemporaneous investigations into perception, space, and the materiality of the printed image.
Artist & collection
Artist
Liliana Porter is an Argentine contemporary artist working in a wide variety of media, including photography, printmaking, painting, drawing, installation, video, theater, and public art.
