Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Marie Laurencin. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1913, this black‑and‑white etching presents a solitary woman in a hat, her profile turned slightly away as she gazes downward while holding a single flower. The composition is rendered with bold, uncomplicated lines that emphasize form over detail, giving the image a calm, introspective atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The figure, distinguished by a patterned hat and elongated hair, appears caught in a private moment, the flower suggesting a fleeting gesture of tenderness. The downward glance and minimal surrounding elements focus attention on the interiority of the sitter, inviting contemplation of femininity and quiet presence.
Technique & Style
Executed with traditional intaglio methods, the artist employed clear, decisive strokes to delineate the figure and its accessories. The limited tonal range and restrained line work reflect an early 20th‑century move toward simplification, aligning the piece with the experimental aesthetics of the Cubist‑influenced avant‑garde.
History & Provenance
The work was produced during the artist’s active participation in Paris’s avant‑garde circles, particularly the Section d’Or group. It entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of early modern prints.
Context
At the time of its creation, the artist was primarily known for painting and printmaking within the Cubist milieu, contributing to the broader shift in French art toward abstraction and fragmented representation. This etching exemplifies the period’s exploration of line, form, and the reduction of visual elements to their essential structures.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marie Laurencin (31 October 1883 – 8 June 1956) was a French painter and printmaker. She became an important figure in the Parisian avant-garde as a member of the Cubists associated with the Section d'Or.
