Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Milko Kelemen, graphite, 1962
Untitled, by Milko Kelemen, graphite, 1962

Untitled is a graphite drawing by Milko Kelemen. It dates from 1962 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

If you're interested in learning more about abstract art, you might want to explore the work of artist Milko Kelemen.

This abstract piece, titled "Untitled," features a range of colors and lines on paper. The artist, Milko Kelemen, used pencil and colored pencil to create this work in 1962. The piece is held at The Museum of Modern Art.

Upon closer inspection, you'll notice a variety of colors and lines that seem to dance across the page. The use of colored pencil adds a sense of depth and texture to the piece. The abstract nature of the work invites the viewer to interpret its meaning.

If you're interested in learning more about abstract art, you might want to explore the work of artist Milko Kelemen.

Overview

Created in 1962, this paper drawing by Milko Kelemen bears no title. Executed with graphite and colored pencils, the work consists of intersecting lines and blocks of hue that occupy the surface in an abstract arrangement. The piece is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed among other mid‑twentieth‑century works on paper.

Technique & Style

Kelemen employed both standard pencil and colored pencil to generate a layered visual field. The juxtaposition of fine graphite strokes with broader swaths of pigment creates subtle variations in texture and depth. The composition relies on the interplay of line and color rather than representational forms, aligning it with abstract drawing practices prevalent in the early 1960s.

History & Provenance

The drawing entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings after its creation, though the exact acquisition details are not publicly recorded. Since its inclusion, the work has been catalogued as part of MoMA’s drawing collection, reflecting the institution’s interest in documenting experimental uses of drawing media during the post‑war period.

Context

Produced at a time when artists were exploring the possibilities of drawing beyond traditional draftsmanship, Kelemen’s untitled piece reflects broader trends toward abstraction and material experimentation. The use of colored pencil—a medium often associated with illustration—demonstrates a shift toward treating drawing as an autonomous artistic practice within the modernist discourse of the early 1960s.

Artist & collection

Artist

Milko Kelemen

Milko Kelemen (1924–2018) was a Croatian artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.