Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a silver print by Maurizio Cattelan. It dates from 2000 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2000, this gelatin silver print by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan presents a monochrome portrait of a formally dressed man caught in the act of eating a doughnut. The image juxtaposes the rigidity of a suit and tie with a moment of casual indulgence, generating a subtle tension that reflects the artist’s characteristic blend of humor and critique.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, a man with slicked-back hair, gazes directly at the viewer while his mouth is open around the pastry. The composition highlights the contrast between professional appearance and a seemingly trivial, even absurd, act, prompting viewers to consider the performative aspects of social decorum and the intrusion of the everyday into formal spaces.
Technique & Style
Executed as a gelatin silver print, the work relies on the tonal range of black‑and‑white photography to emphasize texture and contrast. The crisp rendering of the suit’s fabric against the soft, rounded form of the doughnut underscores Cattelan’s precise visual language, where simplicity of medium serves a complex conceptual play.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the photograph has entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is catalogued as part of the institution’s holdings of contemporary photography. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s interest in works that interrogate modern visual culture through irony and minimalistic presentation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Maurizio Cattelan (Italian: ; born 21 September 1960) is an Italian visual artist.
