Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a charcoal drawing by Matthew Monahan. It dates from 2003 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2003, this untitled work by Matthew Monahan is a drawing that combines charcoal with cut‑and‑pasted printed paper. The piece is part of the collection of the Museum of Modern Art and presents a solitary figure rendered in stark black and white.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure appears hunched, clutching a long sword in one hand while resting its head on the opposite arm. The posture and weapon suggest a moment of tension or contemplation, though the work offers no explicit narrative, leaving interpretation open to the viewer.
Technique & Style
Monahan assembled fragments of printed material—likely newspaper or similar mass‑produced paper—cut them into irregular, jagged shapes, and layered them to form the silhouette. Charcoal was then applied to enhance texture, particularly in the clothing, using scumbling to build depth and a sense of broken, metallic surface.
History & Provenance
The drawing was produced in the early 2000s and entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s interest in contemporary works that explore mixed media and the intersection of print and drawing.
Artist & collection
Artist
Matthew Monahan is an American contemporary artist based in Los Angeles. He works in a variety of artistic disciplines that incorporate mixed media and found objects such as "foam, folded and crumbled construction…
