Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Mateo Manaure. It dates from 1968 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Executed in a limited palette of black and muted gray, it exemplifies his move toward geometric abstraction during the late 1960s.
This print is one of thirty-eight screenprints in a 1968 portfolio by Venezuelan artist Mateo Manaure. Executed in a limited palette of black and muted gray, it exemplifies his move toward geometric abstraction during the late 1960s. The work is part of The Museum of Modern Art’s collection, reflecting Manaure’s broader engagement with non-representational forms and his role in Venezuela’s modernist movement.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features two softly contoured, interconnected forms floating against a dark field. Neither figure suggests a recognizable object; instead, their relationship evokes a sense of quiet equilibrium. The absence of narrative or symbolic reference invites contemplation of form, weight, and spatial tension, aligning with Manaure’s interest in abstraction as an autonomous visual language.
Technique & Style
Manaure employed screenprinting to achieve smooth, flat planes of color with minimal texture. The gray shapes are defined by gentle, uninterrupted curves, avoiding sharp edges or linear structure. The restricted palette enhances the work’s meditative quality, emphasizing contrast and balance over detail. This restrained approach reflects his broader stylistic shift toward purity of form in his printmaking.
History & Provenance
Created in 1968, this print belongs to a portfolio of thirty-eight works produced during a period of intense experimentation in Manaure’s practice. The entire series entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its completion, underscoring its significance in the context of Latin American modernist prints. Its preservation in a major international institution highlights its role in documenting Venezuela’s postwar artistic developments.
Context
Manaure’s work emerged alongside Venezuela’s broader modernization efforts, particularly in public art. While he gained recognition for monumental murals, such as the glass installation at the University City of Caracas, his prints like this one reveal a quieter, more introspective side of his practice. These works respond to international currents in abstraction while maintaining a distinctly regional sensibility.
Legacy
Manaure’s screenprints from this period are regarded as key examples of Venezuelan abstraction’s formal rigor. Though less visible than his murals, these prints influenced later generations of artists exploring minimalism and non-objective composition. Their inclusion in MoMA’s collection ensures their continued presence in global discussions of mid-century Latin American art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mateo Manaure (18 October 1926 – 19 March 2018) was a Venezuelan modern artist. In Venezuela he is considered a master of abstractionism, and is known for his works in the University City of Caracas and for creating the…
