Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a pastel drawing by Markus Lüpertz. It dates from 1976 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1976, this untitled work by German artist Markus Lüpertz consists of pastel applied to paper. Classified as a drawing, it resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The piece exemplifies Lüpertz’s engagement with gestural abstraction during the mid‑1970s, reflecting his interest in the immediacy of mark‑making.
Technique & Style
The composition is dominated by vigorous red and black strokes set against a stark white surface. The marks vary in intensity, some densely layered while others remain faint, leaving portions of the paper untouched. This contrast generates a sense of kinetic energy, as the viewer perceives both the force of the application and the openness of the negative space.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the drawing has been part of the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings, where it is displayed as part of the institution’s post‑war European abstraction collection. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s broader effort to document the evolution of German contemporary art and the artist’s role within that narrative.
Artist & collection
Artist
Markus Lüpertz is a German painter, sculptor, graphic artist, and writer. He also publishes a magazine, and plays jazz piano. He is one of the best-known German contemporary artists. His subjects are characterized by…
