Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil painting by the Surrealist artist Meret Oppenheim. It dates from 1936 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1936, this oil on canvas by Meret Oppenheim is an untitled work in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The composition is dominated by a light‑blue field that serves as a backdrop for a series of abstracted geometric elements.
Subject & Meaning
The central motif consists of a blue, vase‑like form with an opening at its centre, evoking the silhouette of a shirt or container. Above it hovers a red circle marked by a tiny brown spot, from which three slender lines descend, linking the two shapes and suggesting a subtle spatial relationship.
Technique & Style
Oppenheim employs flat, simplified shapes and a restrained palette of blue, red, and brown. The juxtaposition of bold colour blocks with delicate linear connections creates a sense of depth without relying on traditional modeling, reflecting a modernist interest in abstraction and formal balance.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings after its acquisition in the mid‑20th century, where it remains on view as part of the institution’s representation of Oppenheim’s early oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Artist
Meret Elisabeth Oppenheim was a German-born Swiss Surrealist artist and photographer.
