Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Lisa Yuskavage. It dates from 2007 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Though often associated with painting, Yuskavage’s engagement with print media allows for a more intimate, gestural approach to her recurring themes.
Lisa Yuskavage, born in 1962, produced this 2007 lithograph as part of her exploration of the female form in contemporary printmaking. The work is held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, reflecting its significance within her broader practice. Though often associated with painting, Yuskavage’s engagement with print media allows for a more intimate, gestural approach to her recurring themes.
Subject & Meaning
Two women are depicted in a close, ambiguous embrace, their identities softened by indistinct features and blurred contours. The lack of facial detail and obscured clothing suggests a focus on emotional presence rather than individual identity. The intimacy of the gesture invites interpretation without narrative closure, aligning with Yuskavage’s interest in ambiguity and psychological tension within figuration.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the work employs loose, expressive lines and uneven shading to convey movement and fragility. The grayish-blue background dissolves into a hazy field, enhancing the ethereal quality of the figures. The sketchy rendering and muted palette avoid sharp definition, creating a sense of transience that contrasts with the solidity typically associated with traditional portraiture.
History & Provenance
Created in 2007, this lithograph entered the collection of The Museum of Modern Art shortly after its production. It is one of several prints by Yuskavage held in major institutions, documenting her increasing recognition in the printmaking field during the 2000s. Its acquisition reflects institutional interest in her reexamination of figurative conventions through non-traditional media.
Context
Yuskavage’s work emerges from a post-feminist art context, engaging with historical depictions of women while resisting idealized or objectifying tropes. Her use of blurred forms and unconventional color palettes responds to both classical painting traditions and contemporary visual culture, positioning her within a lineage of artists who challenge the gaze through ambiguity and emotional resonance.
Legacy
This lithograph contributes to Yuskavage’s ongoing redefinition of figurative representation in contemporary art. By prioritizing emotional texture over clarity, her prints influence younger artists exploring vulnerability and abstraction in portraiture. The work remains a quiet but persistent example of how printmaking can convey psychological depth without relying on literal detail.
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.
