Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a charcoal drawing by Michael Mazur. It dates from 1962 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Michael Mazur’s 1962 charcoal drawing, catalogued simply as Untitled, resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Executed on a board, the work presents a solitary figure seated on a chair, rendered with swift, gestural lines that emphasize overall form rather than fine detail.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a person seated with legs crossed and arms resting on the chair’s back, suggesting a moment of quiet repose. By focusing on the silhouette and spatial relationship between body and furniture, the drawing invites contemplation of presence and the simplicity of everyday posture.
Technique & Style
Mazur employs loose, rapid charcoal strokes that build volume through subtle shading, creating a sense of solidity without intricate modeling. The marks resemble quick scribbles, a method akin to scumbling, where layered, light applications generate tonal depth while preserving the immediacy of the gesture.
History & Provenance
Created in 1962, the piece entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s interest in mid‑century American drawing and Mazur’s contribution to the development of gestural abstraction in the post‑war period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Michael Burton Mazur was an American artist who was described by William Grimes of The New York Times as "a restlessly inventive printmaker, painter, and sculptor."
