Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil painting by the Neo Expressionist artist Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. It dates from 2014 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 2014, this oil on canvas work by Lynette Yiadom‑Boakye is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2014, this oil on canvas work by Lynette Yiadom‑Boakye is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Though untitled, the piece functions as a portrait, presenting two seated figures illuminated by a focused light source that isolates their heads and hands from a largely obscured backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features a pair of individuals positioned closely together in a dimly lit interior. The figure on the left is clothed in a vivid red shirt paired with green trousers, while the companion on the right wears a plain white shirt and dark pants. Their gazes are turned slightly away from each other, suggesting a quiet, perhaps introspective interaction.
Technique & Style
Yiadom‑Boakye employs a palette of saturated hues and applies paint with a pronounced, tactile brushstroke, giving the surface a palpable thickness reminiscent of impasto. The contrast between the illuminated faces and hands and the surrounding darkness creates a sense of depth, while the bold color blocks emphasize the physical presence of the subjects.
History & Provenance
The painting was completed in 2014 and entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings shortly thereafter, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s ongoing interest in contemporary portraiture that explores narrative ambiguity through formal experimentation.
Context
Yiadom‑Boakye’s practice often involves imagined characters rendered without explicit backstory, inviting viewers to contemplate identity and relational dynamics. This work aligns with that approach, situating the figures in an ambiguous setting that foregrounds color, light, and painterly gesture over specific narrative cues.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye is a British painter and writer of Ghanaian heritage. She is best known for her portraits of imaginary subjects, or ones derived from found objects, which are painted in muted colours. Her work has…
