Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Max Klinger in 1903.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.

Artwork

Untitled

Max Klinger , 1903

Untitled is an ink print by Max Klinger. It dates from 1903 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1903, this etching by German artist Max Klinger presents a muted hospital interior. A nun in a dark habit raises a cross while looking upward, a raven swoops overhead, and rows of occupied beds line the space. Light filters through large windows on the left, and an open door hints at an external world, giving the scene a contemplative tone.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on themes of faith, mortality, and isolation. The nun’s gesture and the looming raven evoke a spiritual struggle amid illness, while the orderly rows of patients underscore the collective vulnerability within the institutional setting.

Technique & Style

Executed as an etching, the work displays Klinger’s precise line work and careful tonal modulation, hallmarks of his printmaking practice. The stylized forms and decorative elements reflect his engagement with Symbolist ideas and the Jugendstil aesthetic prevalent in early‑20th‑century German art.

History & Provenance

The piece entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of early modern prints. Its acquisition underscores the museum’s interest in graphic arts as a parallel to painting during this period.

Context

Klinger’s career spanned painting, sculpture, and literature, and he advocated for the significance of graphic media alongside traditional fine art. This etching aligns with his broader involvement in the Vienna Secession and Symbolist movements, which emphasized emotional depth and decorative design.

Artist & collection

Artist

Max Klinger

Max Klinger (18 February 1857 – 5 July 1920) was a German artist who produced significant work in painting, sculpture, prints and graphics, as well as writing a treatise articulating his ideas on art and the role of…