Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Oskar Schlemmer. It dates from 1923 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
A prominent red circle dominates the center, containing the words "BAUHAUS AUSSTELLUNG" and "JULI-SEPTEMBER 1923" in gray.
This abstract lithograph features a striking composition of lines, shapes, and text. A prominent red circle dominates the center, containing the words "BAUHAUS AUSSTELLUNG" and "JULI-SEPTEMBER 1923" in gray. The background is a warm, off-white hue, with a red rectangle at the top and a smaller one at the bottom left.
A gray, curved line extends from the top left to the bottom right, intersecting with the red circle. A thin, red line follows the curve of the gray shape, adding a sense of movement to the piece. The overall effect is one of dynamic energy and geometric harmony.
For more information on the artist behind this work, explore the art of Oskar Schlemmer.
Overview
Created in 1923, this lithograph by Oskar Schlemmer presents a composition of stark geometric forms and typographic elements. A vivid red circle occupies the central field, within which the words “BAUHAUS AUSSTELLUNG” and “JULI‑SEPTEMBER 1923” appear in muted gray. The surrounding plane is an off‑white tone, punctuated by a red rectangle at the top and a smaller one in the lower left, establishing a balanced visual rhythm.
Subject & Meaning
The work visualizes Schlemmer’s interest in reducing the human figure to abstract, geometric shapes, a concern that would later inform his stage productions such as the Triadic Ballet. By integrating text that references a Bauhaus exhibition, the print links its formal investigation to the school’s broader program of merging art, design, and performance.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the piece relies on the contrast between bold, flat color areas and fine, curving lines. A gray, sweeping curve runs diagonally across the surface, intersecting the central circle, while a thin red line follows its contour, suggesting motion. The overall aesthetic reflects the Bauhaus emphasis on clarity, reduction, and the interplay of line and color.
History & Provenance
Schlemmer produced the lithograph while serving as Master of Form in the Bauhaus theatre workshop, a position he assumed after his tenure in the sculpture workshop. The print was likely circulated in connection with the Bauhaus exhibition held from July to September 1923, aligning the artwork with the school’s public programming of that year.
Context
The early 1920s marked a period of intense experimentation at the Bauhaus, where artists and designers sought to reconcile fine art with industrial production. Schlemmer’s exploration of geometric abstraction and the mechanized body resonated with contemporaneous developments in architecture, graphic design, and stagecraft, situating the lithograph within a network of interdisciplinary projects.
Artist & collection
Artist
Oskar Schlemmer (German pronunciation: ; 4 September 1888 – 13 April 1943) was a German painter, sculptor, designer and choreographer associated with the Bauhaus school.
