Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an unspecified painting by the Abstract Expressionist artist Michael Gross. It dates from 1964 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1964 by American painter Michael Gross, this untitled work is executed in casein on board and belongs to the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The composition consists of a solitary, vertically oriented black form set against a light blue field, presenting a stark visual dialogue between the two color zones.
Subject & Meaning
The painting’s focus rests on a single, elongated black shape that dominates the central portion of the board. Its verticality and isolation generate a sense of tension, while the surrounding blue expanse offers a calm counterpoint, inviting contemplation of balance between presence and absence.
Technique & Style
Gross applied the casein pigment thickly to the black element, producing a rough, impasto surface that hints at brush or palette‑knife handling. In contrast, the blue background is rendered smoothly, with subtle tonal shifts that create depth without overt texture, highlighting the artist’s interest in material contrast.
History & Provenance
The work entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings after its creation, becoming part of the institution’s mid‑twentieth‑century American painting collection. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s ongoing effort to document the development of abstract and minimalist tendencies in post‑war art.
Artist & collection
