Artwork
Untitled

Untitled is an oil painting by the Abstract Expressionist artist Reuben Tam. It dates from 1949 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Reuben Tam's 1949 oil on canvas painting, Untitled, is a landscape work characteristic of the Abstract Expressionist movement. It is held in The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Technique & Style
The painting features thick, textured brushstrokes in a palette of blues, whites, and grays, with a small accent of red. The heavy application of paint creates a sculptural effect, emphasizing texture over representational form. The loose, uneven strokes contribute to a raw, expressive quality.
Subject & Meaning
The work does not depict a clear subject, instead presenting a swirling composition of colors and forms. The upper section is predominantly pale, with faint lines suggesting sky or water, while the lower section features darker shapes and contrasting colors.
Artist & collection
Artist
Reuben Tam (January 17, 1916 – January 3, 1991) was a Hawaiian American landscape painter, educator, poet and graphic artist.











