Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a pastel drawing by Peter Booth. It dates from 1984 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
If you're interested in exploring more of Peter Booth's work, you can check out his other pieces at The Museum of Modern Art.
This painting is a pastel on paper piece, created by Peter Booth in 1984. It's held at The Museum of Modern Art.
The artwork features a mix of earthy tones, with shades of brown and beige dominating the scene. Scattered throughout are various objects, including what appears to be a fish skeleton, a boot, and other indistinct items. The overall atmosphere is one of desolation and abandonment.
If you're interested in exploring more of Peter Booth's work, you can check out his other pieces at The Museum of Modern Art.
Overview
Created in 1984, this work by Australian artist Peter Booth is a pastel drawing on paper. It resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The composition is dominated by muted earth tones, chiefly browns and beiges, which establish a somber visual field.
Subject & Meaning
Within the subdued palette, a variety of objects emerge—a fish skeleton, a solitary boot, and several ambiguous forms. Their placement and the overall barren setting suggest themes of loss, neglect, and an unsettling quietude, resonating with Booth’s reputation for dark, symbolic narratives.
Technique & Style
Booth employs soft pastel to build layered textures, allowing the medium’s powdery quality to convey both delicate detail and atmospheric depth. The drawing’s loose yet deliberate handling reflects his figurative yet surrealist approach, merging recognizable items with an ambiguous, dream‑like ambience.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced during a prolific period in Booth’s career, when his work increasingly explored unsettling domestic and natural motifs. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings after acquisition in the late 20th century, joining a broader representation of contemporary Australian art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Peter Booth (born 2 November 1940) is an Australian figurative and a surrealist painter, and one of the key late-20th-century Australian artists.
