Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Markus Lüpertz. It dates from 1982 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1982, this untitled lithograph by German painter Markus Lüpertz is part of the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Executed on white paper, the work presents a solitary figure cloaked in a dark, flowing garment, bound at the waist by a vivid red cord. The composition is set against a turbulent field of clashing yellows, blues and greens rendered in thick, uneven brush‑like strokes.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, shrouded in a somber cloak, suggests anonymity and concealment, while the bright red rope may imply restraint or a focal point of tension. A small, ambiguous object near the feet—perhaps a cup or bowl—adds a domestic or ritualistic note, inviting speculation about the relationship between the human form and everyday items within a chaotic environment.
Technique & Style
Lüpertz employed the lithographic process, drawing directly onto a limestone or metal plate with greasy media before transferring the image onto paper.
Lüpertz employed the lithographic process, drawing directly onto a limestone or metal plate with greasy media before transferring the image onto paper. The print is marked by bold, irregular lines that convey a raw, tactile quality. Contrasting colors burst from the white ground, creating a sense of visual agitation that mirrors the gestural, expressionist tendencies evident in the artist’s broader oeuvre.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the lithograph has remained in the public domain, entering the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings where it is displayed among other post‑war European works. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s interest in representing the experimental print practices of late‑20th‑century German artists, situating Lüpertz within a narrative of international modernism.
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…
