Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a paint painting by the Abstract Expressionist artist Richard Artschwager. It dates from 1988 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
The piece belongs to the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed as an example of the artist’s interdisciplinary practice.
Created in 1988, this untitled work by Richard Artschwarts combines synthetic polymer paint applied to both board and Formica. The composition presents an abstract arrangement that references everyday objects while questioning their materiality. The piece belongs to the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed as an example of the artist’s interdisciplinary practice.
Subject & Meaning
The surface depicts two stark, white, block‑shaped chairs with rounded backs positioned on a dark wooden floor, accompanied by a pair of yellow glasses tangled between them. The forms are rendered with a deliberately flat, rigid quality that blurs the line between representation and object, inviting viewers to reconsider the distinction between painted illusion and actual furniture.
Technique & Style
Artschwarts employed synthetic polymer paint on both traditional board and industrial Formica, a material commonly used for countertops. The juxtaposition of these supports creates a textured, uneven surface that mimics the look of painted wood while retaining the glossy, manufactured feel of Formica. The geometric simplicity and limited palette align the work with Minimalist concerns, while its referential content nods to Pop and Conceptual art.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the painting has remained in the hands of the Museum of Modern Art, having been acquired directly from the artist’s estate. Its inclusion in MoMA’s collection underscores the institution’s interest in works that explore the intersection of painting, sculpture, and everyday objects during the late twentieth century.
Context
Artschwarts’ practice frequently merged painting with three‑dimensional objects, challenging conventional media boundaries. This piece reflects his broader engagement with Pop Art’s focus on consumer culture, Conceptual art’s emphasis on idea over form, and Minimalism’s reduction to basic shapes. By rendering familiar furniture in an ambiguous, painted format, the work continues his investigation of perception and the reality of objects.
Artist & collection
Artist
Richard Ernst Artschwager (December 26, 1923 – February 9, 2013) was an American painter, illustrator and sculptor. His work has associations with Pop Art, Conceptual art and Minimalism.
