Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Marisol. It dates from 1970 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1970, this untitled etching by Marisol is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Executed in a single plate, the work presents a cluster of hands rendered with clean, unadorned lines that float against an undefined space, emphasizing gesture over setting.
Subject & Meaning
The composition consists of several hands with fingers splayed, overlapping and radiating outward as if caught in a moment of motion. The lack of background invites viewers to focus on the kinetic energy suggested by the spread digits, hinting at themes of communication, reach, or collective action.
Technique & Style
Marisol employed a straightforward etching technique, using bold line work and minimal shading to achieve a graphic clarity. The simplicity of the drawing, combined with the repetitive motif, creates a rhythmic visual pulse that underscores the dynamism of the forms.
History & Provenance
Born in Paris in 1930 to Venezuelan parents, Marisol rose to prominence in the mid‑1960s before withdrawing from the public eye. The 1970 etching was produced while she lived and worked in New York City, and it entered MoMA’s holdings as part of its modern print collection.
Context
The piece reflects Marisal’s broader interest in bold, linear imagery that characterizes many of her prints. Although her visibility waned after the 1970s, a major retrospective in 2014 revived scholarly attention to her oeuvre, situating works like this etching within the narrative of post‑war American printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marisol Escobar (May 22, 1930 – April 30, 2016), otherwise known simply as Marisol, was a Venezuelan-American sculptor born in Paris, who lived and worked in New York City.
