Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Martha Keller. It dates from 1997 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created using the lithographic process, the work is part of a cohesive portfolio held by The Museum of Modern Art.
Untitled is one of forty lithographs produced by Martha Keller in 1997. Created using the lithographic process, the work is part of a cohesive portfolio held by The Museum of Modern Art. Each print in the series explores abstract forms through controlled yet expressive mark-making, with this piece emphasizing vertical rhythms and tonal variation. The medium’s inherent physicality shapes the final image, distinguishing it from painted or drawn works.
Subject & Meaning
The composition suggests natural forms—perhaps tree trunks, shadows, or vertical growth—without depicting them literally. The irregular, overlapping stripes evoke organic movement rather than geometric order. The interplay of dense blacks, muted grays, and near-white areas implies light filtering through foliage or atmospheric depth. No narrative is offered; instead, the work invites contemplation of structure and impermanence in nature.
Technique & Style
Keller employed lithography, a process where ink is transferred from a stone surface to paper. The wobbling lines and uneven edges result from the hand-drawn quality of the stone preparation and the pressure of printing. Colors blend subtly where inks overlap, and rough textures emerge from the stone’s grain. The technique allows for both precision and spontaneity, aligning with the work’s organic, non-repeating forms.
History & Provenance
Created in 1997, Untitled entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection as part of a complete portfolio of forty lithographs. The portfolio was acquired directly from the artist, preserving its integrity as a unified body of work. No prior ownership or exhibition history beyond the museum’s holdings is documented, suggesting the work was conceived and circulated primarily as a printed series rather than as individual pieces.
Context
Keller’s work emerged during a period when many printmakers revisited traditional techniques to explore abstraction and materiality. Her use of lithography aligned with a broader interest in the physical traces of the artist’s hand within mechanical reproduction. The vertical emphasis and muted palette reflect influences from postwar American abstraction, particularly artists who favored subtle tonal shifts over bold color.
Legacy
As part of a larger portfolio, Untitled contributes to an ongoing dialogue about the expressive potential of printmaking beyond reproduction. Keller’s approach—valuing imperfection and material presence—has influenced subsequent generations of printmakers interested in the intersection of process and perception. The work remains a quiet but deliberate example of how lithography can convey natural rhythm without representation.
Artist & collection
