Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Louise Nevelson. It dates from 1972 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1972, this work by Louise Nevelson consists of embossed lead applied to paper, forming a monochrome print. The composition presents a vertical arrangement of dark, sculptural shapes that appear to rise like a stacked tower against a stark white background. The piece exemplifies Nevelson’s interest in three‑dimensional illusion within a two‑dimensional medium.
Subject & Meaning
The image is composed of a series of black, block‑like forms that seem carved or pressed into the paper surface. Their overlapping edges and occasional protruding element suggest a tension between stability and movement, inviting viewers to consider the interplay of mass and void that recurs throughout Neverson’s oeuvre.
Technique & Style
Nevelson employed a single pigment—lead—pressed into the paper to create raised, tactile surfaces. The embossing produces subtle shadows that enhance the illusion of depth, while the uniform black hue reinforces the artist’s characteristic monochromatic aesthetic. The paper’s texture further accentuates the contrast between the flat field and the sculptural relief.
History & Provenance
Born in 1899 in the Russian Empire and trained in New York during the early 1930s, Nevelson held her first solo exhibition in 1941. By the 1970s she was expanding beyond her well‑known wooden assemblages, experimenting with materials such as lead. This 1972 print reflects that period of material exploration, though its ownership history remains undocumented.
Artist & collection
Artist
Louise Nevelson (September 23, 1899 – April 17, 1988) was an American sculptor known for her monumental, monochromatic, wooden wall pieces and outdoor sculptures.
