Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Pierre Bonnard, ink, 1925
Untitled, by Pierre Bonnard, ink, 1925

Untitled is an ink print by Pierre Bonnard. It dates from 1925 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Pierre Bonnard’s 1925 lithograph, titled Untitled, presents an intimate interior scene rendered in a loose, sketch‑like manner. The composition captures two figures seated in a dimly lit room, their postures suggesting a quiet, private moment. The work is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed among the museum’s early‑20th‑century prints.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a man on the left leaning forward, one arm resting on a table while the other holds a glass, and a second figure on the right sitting with a slightly hunched, relaxed pose. The sparse setting—a plain wall, a window, and a curtain—focuses attention on the subtle interaction between the two, evoking a sense of everyday domesticity and quiet observation.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, Bonnard employed rapid, sketchy strokes that convey immediacy and movement. The lines are deliberately rough, giving the impression of a quick visual note rather than a finished illustration. This approach emphasizes the fleeting quality of the captured moment, aligning with the artist’s broader interest in spontaneity and the play of light within interior spaces.

History & Provenance

Created in 1925, the lithograph entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of early modern prints. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s commitment to documenting the development of printmaking techniques and the work of French modernists during the interwar period.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Pierre Bonnard

Artist

Pierre Bonnard

Pierre Bonnard was a French painter, illustrator and printmaker, known especially for the stylized decorative qualities of his paintings and his bold use of color.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.