Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an acrylic painting by the Contemporary Abstract artist Mary Corse. It dates from 1968 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1968, this untitled work by Mary Corse consists of acrylic paint combined with glass microspheres applied to canvas. The piece is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art and is presented as an abstract composition without a representational subject.
Subject & Meaning
The surface is dominated by a subtle gradation of pale tones that shift from near‑white to soft gray, evoking the quality of diffused light. By eliminating sharp edges, the work invites viewers to experience the visual effect of illumination rather than a narrative scene.
Technique & Style
Corse incorporates minute glass beads into the acrylic medium, creating a fine, speckled texture across the canvas. These microspheres catch and reflect ambient light, causing the surface to appear to glow and to change appearance as the viewer moves.
History & Provenance
Since its acquisition by the Museum of Modern Art, the painting has remained in the museum’s collection, representing an early example of Corse’s exploration of light and materiality that would define much of her later practice.
Context
The work aligns with late‑1960s investigations into perception, minimalism, and the physical properties of paint. It reflects a broader artistic interest in using unconventional materials—such as glass particles—to alter the visual experience of a flat surface.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mary Corse is an American artist who lives and works in Topanga, California. Fascinated with perceptual phenomena and the idea that light itself can serve as both subject and material in art, Corse's practice can be…
