Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Michael Goldberg. It dates from 1981 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1981, this untitled print by Michael Goldberg combines etching and engraving on a dark, textured ground. Three vivid bands of color—blue, green, and yellow—traverse the surface, the first two set at diagonal angles and the yellow positioned horizontally near the top. The surrounding field is filled with dense scratches and marks, giving the work a vigorous, hand‑driven appearance.
Subject & Meaning
The composition is non‑representational, focusing on the interaction of color, line, and surface texture. The intersecting stripes suggest movement and tension, while the chaotic background of incised marks evokes the physicality of the artist’s hand, echoing the gestural concerns of abstract expressionism without depicting any recognizable subject.
Technique & Style
Goldberg employed traditional intaglio methods, using both acid‑etched areas and hand‑engraved lines to create contrasting tonal qualities. The bold, flat color bands were likely added through a separate relief or stencil process, allowing the vivid hues to stand against the heavily worked black ground, a combination that underscores the artist’s interest in materiality and process.
History & Provenance
The print entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art shortly after its creation, becoming part of MoMA’s holdings of post‑war American printmaking. It remains catalogued under the artist’s name and year, with his signature and informal notations visible in the lower right corner, confirming its authenticity.
Context
During the early 1980s, Goldberg, known primarily for large‑scale gestural paintings, explored print media as a means to translate his dynamic brushwork into a more linear, incised language. This work reflects the broader trend among abstract expressionists to investigate the possibilities of printmaking while retaining the movement’s emphasis on spontaneity and physical engagement.
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.
