Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Mel Bochner. It dates from 1976 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
"* That date tells us it’s from the 1970s, when artists often stripped things down to basics.
This drawing shows two rough, five-sided shapes touching at a corner. They’re made of tight, fuzzy pencil lines, all the same grayish-brown. The background is just plain paper—no color, no extra marks.
The artist signed it in the corner: *"For Ruth – M. Bochner 1976."* That date tells us it’s from the 1970s, when artists often stripped things down to basics.
If you like this kind of simple, precise drawing, look up cross-hatching next.
Overview
Mel Bochner's 1976 drawing, Untitled, is a pencil work on paper that exemplifies his minimalist approach to conceptual art.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing features two adjacent, irregular pentagonal shapes rendered in uniform grayish-brown pencil lines, leaving the paper background unmarked. The simplicity of the composition highlights Bochner's focus on fundamental visual and conceptual elements.
Technique & Style
Bochner employed tight, fuzzy pencil lines to create the shapes, demonstrating a precise yet textured technique characteristic of his work from this period.
History & Provenance
The drawing is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection and was dedicated to Ruth, as indicated by Bochner's signature: 'For Ruth – M. Bochner 1976'.
Context
Created in the 1970s, Untitled reflects the era's trend towards stripping art down to its basics, a movement in which Bochner played a significant role.
Artist & collection
Artist
Melvin Simon Bochner (August 23, 1940 – February 12, 2025) was an American conceptual artist.
