Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink drawing by Rebecca Horn. It dates from 1976 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Rebecca Horn’s 1976 ink drawing, catalogued simply as Untitled, resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Executed on paper, the work consists of a series of rapid sketches that explore the form and function of an umbrella through successive stages of opening and use.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents multiple views of an umbrella, ranging from a collapsed silhouette to a fully expanded canopy, accompanied by a profile of a hand grasping the handle. Numbered annotations and a German phrase suggesting “spreading” imply a systematic investigation of the object’s kinetic properties and the balance between utility and gesture.
Technique & Style
Horn employs loose, gestural lines and cross‑hatching to convey volume and motion, allowing the viewer to trace the trajectory of the umbrella’s ribs. The sketchy quality emphasizes process over finish, while the numbered steps function as a visual diagram, highlighting the sequential nature of the object’s transformation.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑1970s, a period marked by Horn’s interest in kinetic and performative art, the drawing entered MoMA’s holdings as part of the museum’s effort to document experimental drawing practices. Its accession reflects the institution’s recognition of Horn’s contributions to the exploration of movement in visual media.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rebecca Horn was a German visual artist best known for her installation art, film directing and body modifications such as Einhorn (Unicorn), a body-suit with a very large horn projecting vertically from the headpiece.
