Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache drawing by Pavel Tchelitchew. It dates from 1942 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1942, this gouache drawing on paper is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1942, this gouache drawing on paper is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. It was produced by Pavel Tchelitchew, a Russian-born artist associated with surrealism and known for his work in set and costume design.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts two dancers captured in a soaring leap, their forms elongated into sinuous, wave‑like lines. The costumes dissolve into soft blues and pinks, emphasizing fluid motion rather than static attire.
Technique & Style
Executed in gouache, the work combines the medium’s opacity with delicate washes, allowing the artist to render both precise contours and atmospheric color blends. The surrealist tendency to merge dreamlike imagery with exacting draftsmanship is evident in the fluid, almost melting figures.
History & Provenance
Originally conceived as a costume sketch for the ballet *Pas de Deux*, the design was never realized on stage. The drawing later entered MoMA’s holdings, where it remains on view as an example of Tchelitchew’s interdisciplinary practice.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pavel Fyodorovich Tchelitchew ( Che-LIT-chev; Russian: Па́вел Фёдорович Чели́щев) (3 October 1898 – 31 July 1957) was a Russian-born surrealist painter, set designer and costume designer.
