Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Philip Corner. It dates from 1987 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a black‑and‑white screenprint executed around 1987 by American artist Philip Corner. The work consists of two sinuous lines that intersect near the centre, forming an informal X‑shape. Though composed of only these two elements, the composition conveys a sense of movement and tension across the entire sheet.
Subject & Meaning
The print presents a pair of opposing curves that bend away from each other, never actually meeting. This visual tension suggests a dialogue between divergence and convergence, inviting viewers to contemplate the balance of opposing forces within a minimal formal structure.
Technique & Style
Created through the screenprinting process, the piece relies on stark monochrome contrast to emphasize the fluidity of the lines. The technique allows for crisp, repeatable edges while preserving the hand‑drawn quality of the curves, aligning with Corner’s broader interest in simple, gestural forms.
History & Provenance
Untitled belongs to Corner’s series titled Lines and Curves, a body of work exploring basic geometric gestures. The print entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of post‑1970s American printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philip Lionel Corner is an American composer, trombonist, alphornist, vocalist, pianist, music theorist, music educator, and visual artist.
