Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Louis Lozowick. It dates from 1935 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Louis Lozowick’s 1935 lithograph, catalogued as Untitled, presents a stark black‑and‑white cityscape. The composition is dominated by a line of varied skyscrapers perched beside water, a solitary ship in the foreground, and a mass of turbulent clouds overhead. The work is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection and bears a handwritten caption reading “Storm Clouds Above Manhattan.”
Subject & Meaning
The image captures an urban horizon under a foreboding sky, suggesting the tension between industrial progress and natural forces. The angular architecture and the lone vessel evoke themes of modernity confronting an uncertain environment, while the swirling clouds amplify a sense of impending change or disruption within the metropolis.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the print relies on bold, clean lines and stark tonal contrasts, eliminating extraneous detail. Lozowick’s graphic approach emphasizes geometric forms and sharp edges, reinforcing the mechanical aesthetic of the cityscape. The monochrome palette heightens the dramatic interplay of light and shadow across the skyline.
History & Provenance
Created in 1935, the lithograph entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings as part of its early 20th‑century American print collection. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s interest in documenting the development of modern graphic art and the rise of urban imagery in American visual culture.
Context
Lozowick, a Russian‑born American artist, was active in the 1920s and 1930s, producing works that merged constructivist influences with American industrial subjects. This print aligns with his broader interest in the architecture of New York City, a motif he explored through multiple media during a period of rapid urban expansion.
Artist & collection
Artist
Louis Lozowick (1892–1973) was a Ukrainian-born American painter and printmaker. He is recognized as an Art Deco and Precisionist artist, and mainly produced streamline, urban-inspired monochromatic lithographs in a…
