Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Man Ray, graphite, 1936
Untitled, by Man Ray, graphite, 1936

Untitled is a graphite drawing by Man Ray. It dates from 1936 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Untitled is a 1936 drawing by Man Ray, created with ink and pencil on paper. It exemplifies the artist's experimental approach to medium and technique.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing features a large safety pin prominently displayed against a faintly sketched landscape, comprising a river, hills, and a small town. The pin's bold lines contrast with the delicate background, drawing attention to the object.

Technique & Style

Man Ray's use of bold black lines for the safety pin and light pencil strokes for the landscape creates a striking visual contrast. This technique emphasizes the pin's presence, relegating the background to a secondary role.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Man Ray

Artist

Man Ray

Man Ray (born Emmanuel Radnitzky; August 27, 1890 – November 18, 1976) was an American-born, French-naturalized visual artist who spent most of his career in Paris.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.