Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Lucas Samaras. It dates from 1966 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1966, this drawing by Lucas Samaras consists of pencil and colored‑pencil marks on paper. It presents three abstract forms set against a dark, textured ground, each outlined in stark lines and filled with vivid hues of yellow, orange and green that contrast sharply with the surrounding surface.
Subject & Meaning
The three shapes suggest a skeletal head, a contorted figure with limbs, and a diminutive stick‑like element. Their ambiguous outlines and internal glowing lines invite interpretations related to bodily transformation and identity, recurring concerns in Samaras’s broader oeuvre.
Technique & Style
Samaras employs a combination of graphite and layered colored pencil to achieve luminous interiors within the forms. The dark, grid‑like background is rendered with dense pencil strokes, creating a tactile surface that heightens the visual impact of the bright, saturated colors.
History & Provenance
The work entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of mid‑1960s American drawing. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s interest in Samaras’s interdisciplinary practice during that period.
Context
During the 1960s Samaras was active across photography, sculpture and painting, often challenging conventional boundaries between media. This drawing exemplifies his experimental approach, merging drawing with painterly color effects to explore perception and the mutable self.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Samaras (Greek: Λουκάς Σαμαράς; September 14, 1936 – March 7, 2024) was a Greek-born American photographer, sculptor, and painter.
