Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Paulo Monteiro. It dates from 1992 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1992, this untitled graphite drawing by Brazilian artist Paulo Monteiro is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art. The work consists of a sparse composition on a largely empty sheet of paper, marked only by two gestural lines that suggest a human limb and a flowing form. Its minimal visual content invites close inspection of the drawing’s economy of mark.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing presents two elementary strokes: one angular line that can be read as an arm bent at the elbow, and a second, looser, wavering line that may evoke a leg, a draped cloth, or an abstract gesture. The ambiguity of the forms encourages viewers to project narrative or bodily references onto the simple marks, highlighting the tension between representation and abstraction.
Technique & Style
Monteiro employed a single graphite pencil, producing thin, uneven lines that convey a sense of immediacy. The marks are rendered with a light hand, leaving much of the paper untouched and allowing the surface texture to remain visible. This sketch-like approach aligns with the artist’s broader practice of reducing drawing to its most essential gestures.
History & Provenance
The piece was executed in 1992 and later acquired by the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on the institution’s permanent holdings. Its inclusion in MoMA’s collection reflects the museum’s interest in documenting the development of contemporary drawing practices during the late twentieth century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paulo Monteiro is a Brazilian artist who was born in São Paulo in 1961. He is a painter, sculptor and designer. In the 80s he was one of the founders of "Casa7" group. Participated in two Biennales of São Paulo. Lives…
