Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Peter Blume in 1934.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.

Artwork

Untitled

Peter Blume , 1934

Untitled is a graphite drawing by Peter Blume. It dates from 1934 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

The flowers look real, but the way he shades them gives them weight, like they’re standing under a spotlight.

You see two flowers—an iris and a pansy—drawn in pencil on plain paper. The lines are sharp, almost like they were carved instead of sketched.

Blume made this in 1934, when most artists were painting big, bold scenes. Here, he zooms in on small things, making them feel important. The flowers look real, but the way he shades them gives them weight, like they’re standing under a spotlight.

If you like how he builds depth with just pencil, look up cross-hatching.

Overview

Untitled is a 1934 drawing by Peter Blume, created with pencil on paper. It is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts two flowers, an iris and a pansy, rendered in precise lines that evoke a sense of carving rather than sketching. By focusing on these small subjects, Blume elevates them to a level of importance.

Technique & Style

The use of pencil allows for subtle shading, which gives the flowers a sense of depth and weight. The technique employed, likely involving cross-hatching, creates a dramatic effect, as if the flowers are illuminated.

Context

Created in 1934, Untitled diverges from the prevalent artistic trend of the time, which favored large-scale, bold scenes. Instead, Blume's work showcases a more intimate and detailed approach.

Artist & collection

Artist

Peter Blume

Peter Blume was an American painter and sculptor. His work contained elements of folk art, Precisionism, Parisian Purism, Cubism, and Surrealism.

Museum

Museum of Modern Art

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