Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Natalia Goncharova. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
This cover shows a simple black-and-white drawing of a winged figure with outstretched arms.
This cover shows a simple black-and-white drawing of a winged figure with outstretched arms. The figure has a halo and holds what looks like a scroll or book. The background is a plain, light tan color.
The words at the top and bottom are in Russian, with the title roughly translating to "War." The year 1914 is printed near the bottom, matching the date of the portfolio.
Look up lithography to see how this print was made.
Overview
In 1914 the Russian avant‑garde artist Natalia Goncharova issued a portfolio titled Untitled, comprising fourteen lithographic sheets bound with a letterpress cover. The cover features a stark black‑and‑white illustration of a winged, haloed figure holding a scroll, set against a muted tan field. Russian lettering frames the image, indicating the theme “War” and the year of publication.
Subject & Meaning
The central motif on the cover—a celestial being with outstretched arms and a halo—suggests a symbolic guardian or messenger, perhaps alluding to the looming conflict of 1914. The scroll or book in the figure’s grasp may represent knowledge or proclamation, reinforcing the work’s engagement with contemporary political tensions.
Technique & Style
Goncharova employed lithography, a planographic process where grease‑based designs are drawn on stone or metal plates and then transferred to paper. The stark monochrome palette and simplified forms echo her interest in abstraction and the emerging Rayonist language, while the letterpress binding integrates typographic elements typical of early 20th‑century experimental printmaking.
History & Provenance
Produced during a period of intense artistic ferment, the portfolio reflects Goncharova’s involvement with radical collectives such as Jack of Diamonds and Donkey’s Tail. The work was created alongside her collaborations with Mikhail Larionov, and its 1914 date situates it at the cusp of World War I, marking a pivotal moment in both her career and Russian modernism.
Artist & collection
Artist
Natalia Sergeevna Goncharova (Russian: Ната́лья Серге́евна Гончаро́ва, IPA: ; 3 July 1881 – 17 October 1962) was a Russian avant-garde artist, painter, costume designer, writer, illustrator, and set designer.
