Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Lovis Corinth. It dates from 1910 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1910, this untitled drawing by Lovis Corinth consists of pencil work on both sides of a single sheet of paper. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. It presents a brief, gestural study executed in graphite, with the front side showing a figure and the reverse bearing additional markings.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a nude figure seen from behind, rendered with minimal detail. Only the head, shoulders and arms are suggested, allowing the viewer to focus on the gesture and posture rather than anatomical precision. The anonymity of the subject and the lack of narrative context invite contemplation of form and movement.
Technique & Style
Corinth employed loose, wavering pencil strokes that convey a sense of immediacy. The drawing relies on quick, overlapping lines to suggest volume, while the faintness of the marks hints at a provisional study. The presence of scribbles on the verso demonstrates the artist’s habit of reusing paper and layering ideas within a single sheet.
History & Provenance
The work dates to the early 1910s, a period when Corinth was exploring more spontaneous drawing methods. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through acquisition, though the exact path of ownership before the museum is not documented in the available records.
Context
During the years surrounding 1910, Corinth was transitioning between academic training and a more expressionist approach, often producing rapid sketches to capture the human figure. This drawing reflects that experimental phase, illustrating his interest in capturing the essence of a pose with minimal means, a practice common among artists seeking to break from detailed studio work.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lovis Corinth was a German artist and writer whose mature work as a painter and printmaker realized a synthesis of impressionism and expressionism.
