Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Marie Harnett. It dates from 2015 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. This linoleum cut, dated 2015, is part of a broader portfolio that encompasses multiple printmaking techniques.
About this work
Overview
This linoleum cut, dated 2015, is part of a broader portfolio that encompasses multiple printmaking techniques. Created by Marie Harnett, it resides in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art. The work exemplifies the artist’s engagement with repetitive, incised patterns, rendered in stark monochrome to emphasize texture and depth.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features densely layered, rhythmic lines resembling undulating waves or organic forms such as feathers. These motifs evoke movement and structure, suggesting natural or abstract phenomena. The interplay of light and shadow within the carved lines invites contemplation of surface and depth, though the work resists literal interpretation.
Technique & Style
Executed as a linoleum cut, the print relies on the removal of material to create raised and recessed areas that transfer ink onto paper. The sharp, repetitive lines demonstrate precision in carving, while the rough texture conveys a tactile quality. The monochromatic palette and high-contrast design align with modernist printmaking traditions that prioritize form over color.
History & Provenance
Produced in 2015, this work was included in a portfolio of prints employing diverse techniques, from etching to screenprinting. It entered the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, where it contributes to the institution’s holdings of contemporary printmaking. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in works that explore material and process.
Context
Harnett’s print emerges from a lineage of artists who investigate the possibilities of relief printing. Linoleum, a softer and more accessible alternative to wood, allows for bold, graphic imagery. This work participates in broader dialogues about abstraction, repetition, and the physicality of printmaking within 21st-century art practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marie Harnett’s prints look like they’ve been dipped in moonlight and dragged through a hedge backward.
