Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Reg Butler. It dates from 1963 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1963, this lithographic print by British sculptor Reg Butler is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art. The work is untitled and presents a solitary figure rendered in a loose, sketch‑like manner, emphasizing gesture over detail.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a lone human form turned slightly away from the viewer, one arm folded at the elbow. The figure’s posture and the minimal surrounding marks suggest a fleeting moment or an unfinished thought, inviting contemplation of presence and absence.
Technique & Style
Butler employed the lithographic process to produce a drawing‑like surface, using irregular, smudged lines that resemble rapid pencil sketches. The background is largely empty, punctuated only by faint outlines that may hint at furniture, reinforcing the work’s spontaneous, almost doodle‑like quality.
History & Provenance
The print entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, reflecting the institution’s interest in mid‑century British printmaking. Its acquisition underscores MoMA’s commitment to documenting experimental approaches to lithography during the 1960s.
Artist & collection
Artist
Reginald Cotterell Butler was an English sculptor. He was born at Bridgefoot House, Buntingford, Hertfordshire to Frederick William Butler (1880–1937) and Edith (1880–1969), daughter of blacksmith William Barltrop, of…
