Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Mateo Manaure. It dates from 1969 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
The series reflects his ongoing engagement with spatial relationships and minimal form, translating architectural sensibilities into the flat plane of paper.
Created in 1969, this screenprint is one of thirty-eight works in a portfolio by Venezuelan artist Mateo Manaure. Though best known for monumental public installations, Manaure turned to printmaking to explore geometric abstraction in a more intimate format. The series reflects his ongoing engagement with spatial relationships and minimal form, translating architectural sensibilities into the flat plane of paper.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features two stacked cubic forms—one blue, one white—with a smaller cube nested within the lower shape. These elements suggest layered space without representing any literal object. The absence of narrative or symbolism invites focus on structural tension and visual balance, aligning with Manaure’s broader interest in how geometry can evoke perception rather than depiction.
Technique & Style
Manaure employed screenprinting to achieve crisp, flat planes of color and sharp edges, emphasizing clarity over texture. The contrast between the blue and white forms enhances the illusion of depth, while the nested cube introduces subtle complexity within a reduced palette. His style here is reductive, prioritizing precision and optical effect over expressive brushwork or ornamentation.
History & Provenance
The portfolio was produced during a period when Manaure was actively involved in public art projects in Venezuela, including the University City of Caracas. The screenprints were likely made as a parallel exploration to his large-scale works, offering a private counterpart to his public commissions. The complete set remains a documented part of his oeuvre, though individual prints are held in scattered collections.
Context
In late 1960s Venezuela, abstract art was gaining institutional traction as part of a national modernization effort. Manaure’s work, rooted in Constructivist and Concrete Art traditions, resonated with state-sponsored cultural initiatives. His print portfolio emerged alongside broader regional movements that sought to align visual language with progressive social ideals through formal purity.
Legacy
Manaure’s screenprints, though less visible than his murals, demonstrate his commitment to abstraction across media. They influenced later Venezuelan printmakers by proving that geometric minimalism could thrive outside monumental contexts. The portfolio remains a quiet but significant chapter in the history of Latin American modernism, bridging public architecture and private artistic inquiry.
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…
