Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Peter Doig. It dates from 2013 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2013, Untitled is one of twelve prints in a series by Peter Doig, combining etching, aquatint, and screenprint techniques. The work is part of The Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Its subdued palette and fragmented composition reflect Doig’s interest in memory and atmosphere, moving away from literal representation toward emotional resonance through layered printmaking methods.
Subject & Meaning
A solitary figure walks along a shoreline at twilight, their form simplified and face indistinct. The scene evokes solitude and quiet contemplation, with no clear narrative. The blurred outline and faint reflection in the water suggest impermanence or the fading of memory. Birds in the upper sky add a sense of movement, contrasting the stillness of the landscape and the figure’s stillness.
Technique & Style
The method prioritizes mood over precision, using the inherent unpredictability of printmaking to evoke dreamlike ambiguity.
Doig employed etching and aquatint to create tonal gradations, with screenprint adding subtle color shifts. Loose, uneven lines and textured surfaces give the image a tactile, almost hazy quality. The chine collé elements, though not present in this specific work, appear in other series pieces, enhancing depth. The method prioritizes mood over precision, using the inherent unpredictability of printmaking to evoke dreamlike ambiguity.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in 2013 as part of a limited edition series. It entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its completion, acquired directly from the artist’s studio. No prior ownership or exhibition history is documented beyond its inclusion in MoMA’s permanent holdings, where it remains accessible for study and display.
Context
This work emerged during a period when Doig was increasingly exploring printmaking alongside painting, drawn to its capacity for layering and revision. The series reflects his ongoing engagement with landscape as psychological space, influenced by his time in Trinidad and Canada. Unlike his earlier oil paintings, these prints emphasize fragmentation and atmospheric suggestion over detailed realism.
Legacy
Untitled contributes to a broader shift in contemporary printmaking toward expressive, non-narrative imagery. Doig’s use of traditional techniques to convey emotional ambiguity has influenced younger artists exploring memory and place. The work remains a quiet example of how print media can convey introspection without overt symbolism, expanding the possibilities of the medium beyond conventional representation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Peter Doig is a British painter who has lived and worked between England, Scotland, Trinidad, Canada, the USA and Germany. He settled in Trinidad with his family between 2002 and 2021, when he moved back to London.
