Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Peggy Bacon. It dates from 1925 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
This sketch shows a woman standing sideways, holding a tall stalk of grass or a plant in one hand.
This sketch shows a woman standing sideways, holding a tall stalk of grass or a plant in one hand. She’s wearing a simple sleeveless dress and a wide-brimmed hat with a short veil. The lines are loose and sketchy, with some shading to show her body and the plant’s shape.
The title isn’t given, but the artist signed it “Peggy Bacon, 1925.” The drawing looks like it was made quickly, with just a few marks to suggest details.
Try looking up Peggy Bacon to see more of her work.
Overview
Created in 1925, this drypoint print by Peggy Bacon presents a lone female figure viewed in profile, clutching a tall stalk of vegetation. The composition is rendered with swift, sketch‑like lines that hint at the subject’s dress, hat and veil, while subtle shading defines the form of the body and plant.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a woman in a simple sleeveless dress and a wide‑brimmed hat, holding a slender plant that may symbolize growth or nature. The minimal gesture and sparse detail invite viewers to focus on the figure’s posture and the interplay between the human form and the vegetal element.
Technique & Style
Executed with drypoint, Bacon incised the image directly onto a metal plate using a needle, producing fine, expressive lines characteristic of the medium. The resulting print displays loose, gestural marks and delicate tonal variation, reflecting her self‑taught proficiency in this printmaking method.
History & Provenance
Bacon developed her drypoint skills while studying under Kenneth Hayes Miller at the Art Students League of New York. The piece bears her signature and date, confirming its creation in 1925. It forms part of the body of work that supported her later recognition, including a Guggenheim Fellowship for graphic arts.
Context
During the 1920s Bacon was establishing herself as a satirical caricaturist for magazines such as The New Yorker and Vanity Fair, while also exhibiting in major galleries. This print reflects her early exploration of line and form, parallel to her burgeoning reputation in both illustration and fine art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Margaret Frances Bacon (May 2, 1895 – January 4, 1987) was an American artist, best known for her satirical caricatures.
