Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Nicole Eisenman. It dates from 1997 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1997, *Untitled* is one of five prints in a portfolio by Nicole Eisenman, who was then based in Brooklyn.
Created in 1997, *Untitled* is one of five prints in a portfolio by Nicole Eisenman, who was then based in Brooklyn. The work combines aquatint and photogravure, techniques that allow for rich tonal variation and subtle texture. Eisenman’s approach to printmaking here reflects her broader interest in hybrid media, blending traditional methods with experimental additions found elsewhere in the series.
Subject & Meaning
Three nude figures are arranged against a vivid red field: a kneeling woman at the center, a seated man to her left, and a standing man facing away on the right. Above them, a white rectangle bears the text 'ALL TYPES OF FAT,' followed by 'MONTHLY' and 'INTERNATIONAL AND RELATED PROBLEMS.' The juxtaposition of bodily forms with bureaucratic language suggests a critique of societal categorization, linking physicality with institutional discourse.
Technique & Style
Eisenman employs aquatint for soft gradations and photogravure for detailed tonal depth, creating a layered visual texture. The figures are rendered with loose, gestural lines and minimal shading, emphasizing form over realism. The bold outlines and saturated red background contribute to a sense of immediacy, while the inclusion of printed text introduces a conceptual layer that disrupts purely visual reading.
History & Provenance
The print was produced as part of a limited portfolio in 1997 and entered the collection of The Museum of Modern Art shortly thereafter. Eisenman’s engagement with printmaking during this period coincided with her growing recognition in the New York art scene, following her 1996 Guggenheim Fellowship. The portfolio’s mixed-media nature positioned her as an artist unbound by single-medium conventions.
Context
In the late 1990s, Eisenman was part of a generation of artists re-examining figurative representation through a lens of social observation and irony. Her use of text alongside nude figures echoes the influence of conceptual art and punk zine aesthetics, while the bodily depictions challenge idealized norms. The work reflects broader cultural conversations around identity, visibility, and the body as a site of political meaning.
Legacy
This print contributes to Eisenman’s sustained exploration of the human figure as both personal and political subject. Its inclusion in MoMA’s collection underscores its significance within contemporary printmaking. The portfolio’s technical diversity and thematic ambiguity have influenced subsequent artists working at the intersection of figuration, text, and social commentary.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nicole Eisenman (born 1965) is a French-born American artist known for her oil paintings and sculptures.
