Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Nicole Eisenman. It dates from 2012 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
The piece is part of a broader body of work that interrogates identity and expression, and it resides in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art.
Created in 2012, this monotype by Nicole Eisenman is one of many works in which she investigates the human figure through printmaking. Born in France in 1965 and based in Brooklyn, Eisenman employs a range of media, including painting and sculpture, but here she focuses on the immediacy of monotype. The piece is part of a broader body of work that interrogates identity and expression, and it resides in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a stylized human face, rendered with exaggerated features: wide-set blue eyes, a broad nose, and a slightly parted mouth. The expression is neither clearly emotional nor neutral, inviting open interpretation. The figure’s anonymity and simplified form suggest a commentary on the flattening of individuality in contemporary visual culture, while the boldness of the features resists easy categorization.
Technique & Style
Eisenman used the monotype process to create a unique, hand-pulled print with visible brushwork and uneven ink application. Colors are applied flat and unmodulated—red-orange skin, blue cap and shirt, green background—each sharply outlined in black. The result merges cartoon-like simplicity with a tactile, imperfect hand, evoking both graphic design and raw drawing.
History & Provenance
This work was produced during a period of increased recognition for Eisenman, following her inclusion in multiple Whitney Biennials and receipt of the Carnegie Prize. It entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, reflecting institutional interest in her reimagining of figurative traditions. No prior ownership or exhibition history beyond MoMA’s acquisition is documented.
Context
Eisenman’s practice in the early 2010s engaged with the resurgence of figurative painting amid a dominant trend toward abstraction and conceptualism. Her work responds to both art historical precedents and contemporary social dynamics, using distortion and color to question norms of representation. This monotype aligns with her interest in marginalized or absurd personas within modern life.
Legacy
The work contributes to Eisenman’s sustained influence on contemporary figurative art, particularly in how she blends humor, pathos, and formal experimentation. Her use of printmaking to explore identity has inspired younger artists to reconsider the potential of non-reproductive techniques. This piece remains a reference point in discussions of post-2000 painting and print practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nicole Eisenman (born 1965) is a French-born American artist known for her oil paintings and sculptures.
