Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Manuel Espinoza. It dates from 1972 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a 1972 screenprint by Manuel Espinoza, part of a mixed-media portfolio that includes intaglios, lithographs, and an aquatint.
Untitled is a 1972 screenprint by Manuel Espinoza, part of a mixed-media portfolio that includes intaglios, lithographs, and an aquatint. Created during a period of experimental printmaking in the early 1970s, the work belongs to The Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Its composition relies on layered geometric forms and saturated hues, distinguishing it from the finer line work typical of lithography or etching used elsewhere in the series.
Subject & Meaning
The print presents no figurative elements, instead arranging abstract shapes—primarily overlapping circles and ovals—to create visual rhythm. The central white circle acts as a focal point amid dense reds, blues, and navy tones, suggesting containment or stillness within motion. The tension between rigid edges and soft gradients implies equilibrium without symmetry, evoking spatial harmony rather than narrative content.
Technique & Style
Screenprinting allowed Espinoza to apply flat, opaque color fields with precision, contrasting with subtle ink fades that suggest depth. Stencils controlled the placement of each hue, enabling sharp boundaries between forms while permitting controlled transitions into shadow. The method favored boldness and repetition, aligning with the artist’s interest in structural clarity and visual impact over delicate detail.
History & Provenance
Produced in 1972, Untitled was included in a limited portfolio of twenty-one prints, each unique in technique and composition. It entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, reflecting institutional interest in contemporary printmaking that embraced abstraction and non-traditional processes. Its provenance remains unbroken within public collections since acquisition.
Context
Espinoza’s work emerged alongside broader shifts in American printmaking, where artists moved away from traditional techniques toward experimental, industrial methods. Screenprinting, often associated with commercial design, was adopted by fine artists to explore color, form, and mass production aesthetics. This piece reflects that trend, bridging graphic sensibilities with fine art concerns.
Legacy
Untitled contributes to a body of work that expanded the possibilities of printmaking beyond reproduction into expressive abstraction. While not widely exhibited alone, its inclusion in the portfolio helped define Espinoza’s role in a generation of artists who redefined print media through color, geometry, and process-driven innovation.
Artist & collection
