Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Nancy Holt, graphite, 1978
Untitled, by Nancy Holt, graphite, 1978

Untitled is a graphite drawing by Nancy Holt. It dates from 1978 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Nancy Holt's 1978 drawing, Untitled, is a pencil work on paper held at The Museum of Modern Art. It is a representative piece of her diverse artistic practice, which spanned sculpture, installation, land art, and other mediums.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a stone circle with directional arrows and notations indicating compass points, angles, and distances. Annotations referencing the North Star suggest an interest in aligning the structure with celestial bodies.

Technique & Style

The work is characterized by its precise and detailed rendering, reflecting Holt's attention to measurement and spatial relationships. The use of pencil on paper allowed for a straightforward and unadorned representation of her concept.

Context

Holt's work often explored the relationship between human-made structures and their environment. This drawing may be seen as a plan or study for a larger project, potentially a land art installation.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Nancy Holt

Artist

Nancy Holt

Nancy Holt (April 5, 1938 – February 8, 2014) was an American artist most known for her public sculpture, installation art, concrete poetry, and land art.

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