Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Lisa Yuskavage. It dates from 1998 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
It is one of four aquatints with drypoint in the series, distinguished by its focus on the human form rendered through tonal gradations and fine linear detail.
Lisa Yuskavage created this print in 1998 as part of a small group of five works combining aquatint, drypoint, and mezzotint. It is one of four aquatints with drypoint in the series, distinguished by its focus on the human form rendered through tonal gradations and fine linear detail. The piece is held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, reflecting its significance within her printmaking practice.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a woman seen from behind and the side, her body leaning forward with one arm resting on a smooth, curved surface. The pose suggests introspection or quiet repose. The absence of facial features shifts attention to posture and skin texture, emphasizing physical presence over identity. The intimate scale and lighting invite contemplation rather than narrative.
Technique & Style
The print employs aquatint to achieve soft, atmospheric tonal shifts across the figure’s skin, while drypoint adds sharp, expressive lines to define contours and hair. The dark background enhances the luminosity of the form, heightening the contrast between light and shadow. The surface texture reflects the physicality of metal plate etching, with subtle variations in ink density suggesting tactile depth.
History & Provenance
Created in 1998, this print belongs to a limited series produced during a period when Yuskavage expanded her exploration of the figure beyond painting into printmaking. It entered the collection of The Museum of Modern Art shortly after its creation, affirming its place within contemporary American print culture and the artist’s evolving technical repertoire.
Context
Yuskavage’s work in the late 1990s engaged with historical depictions of the female body while subverting idealized conventions. This print aligns with her broader interest in re-examining classical motifs through a contemporary, psychologically charged lens. The choice of intaglio techniques reflects a dialogue with print traditions, yet the subject’s ambiguity resists easy categorization.
Legacy
This print contributes to a body of work that redefined figurative representation in late 20th-century American art. Its inclusion in MoMA’s collection underscores its role in expanding the possibilities of printmaking as a medium for psychological and formal inquiry. Yuskavage’s integration of traditional techniques with unconventional subject matter continues to influence contemporary print artists.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lisa Yuskavage ( yə-SKAV-ij; born 1962) is an American artist who lives and works in New York City. She is known for her figure paintings that challenge conventional understandings of the genre.
