Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a charcoal drawing by Michael Goldberg. It dates from 1967 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1967, this untitled work by American abstract expressionist Michael Goldberg consists of charcoal applied to a transparent acetate sheet.
Created in 1967, this untitled work by American abstract expressionist Michael Goldberg consists of charcoal applied to a transparent acetate sheet. The composition is dominated by a series of vertical marks that vary in thickness and intensity, set against a light background. Three of the lines are topped with the white numerals “515,” adding a subtle textual element to the otherwise gestural field.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing foregrounds the physical act of mark‑making, a hallmark of Goldberg’s abstract practice. The uneven, overlapping lines suggest a tension between control and spontaneity, while the repeated numeric inscription hints at a personal or procedural reference, inviting viewers to consider the balance between visual rhythm and coded information within an abstract context.
Technique & Style
Goldberg employed charcoal on acetate, a thin, translucent support that allows the medium’s matte quality to contrast with the sheet’s smooth surface. The marks appear quickly rendered, with rough edges and layered strokes that create a scumbled texture. Variations in line weight and darkness convey depth and movement, emphasizing the artist’s gestural approach to abstraction.
History & Provenance
The piece entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings. It has been featured in several exhibitions of Goldberg’s oeuvre, notably a comprehensive retrospective at the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville in 2013–14, which highlighted his contributions to mid‑century abstract expressionism.
Artist & collection
Artist
Michael Goldberg (December 24, 1924 – December 31, 2007) was an American abstract expressionist painter and teacher known for his gestural action paintings, abstractions and still-life paintings.
