Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Haydn Mackey in 1935.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Untitled by Haydn Mackey (1935) — Meaning & Museum

About this work

This print is by Haydn Mackey, created between 1925 and 1945.
It's part of a collection of proofs at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The print is notable for its technique - Mackey used hand-coloured opaque oil paint on the reverse of transparent tracing paper to achieve the appearance of coloured printing.
You can learn more about this technique by looking up Haydn Mackey.

Overview

This untitled print, produced sometime between 1925 and 1945, belongs to a series of proof prints by Haydn Reynolds Mackey (1883‑1979). The work is held in the Victoria and Albert Museum and exemplifies Mackey’s practice of creating limited, non‑commercial prints that range from magazine covers to fine‑art pieces.

Technique & Style

Mackey achieved vivid colour through a distinctive method: he applied opaque oil paint to the back of transparent tracing paper, then printed the image onto an oatmeal‑coloured backing sheet with the painted side down. Although the final appearance suggests a multi‑colour press, each hue is hand‑applied, giving the work a richly saturated yet handcrafted quality.

Subject & Meaning

The print’s subject matter is not identified, reflecting Mackey’s tendency to explore design and composition without narrative constraints. The abstract or decorative elements emphasize formal qualities—line, shape, and colour—over literal representation, inviting viewers to consider the interplay of pattern and surface.

History & Provenance

Mackey, a prolific book illustrator and printmaker, produced these proofs for personal and experimental purposes rather than for mass publication. The print entered the V&A’s collection as part of a broader acquisition of his woodcut and linocut proofs, documenting his experimental approach to colour in printmaking.