Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a charcoal drawing by Richard Phillips. It dates from 2003 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2003 by American artist Richard Phillips, this untitled drawing is executed in charcoal, chalk, and pencil on paper. It is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The work presents a solitary figure rendered in stark monochrome, juxtaposing a bare torso with graphic elements that suggest both personal identity and public signage.
Subject & Meaning
The surrounding backdrop resembles a faded poster bearing the words "GENERAL" and "ALL PERSONS," hinting at institutional or collective contexts.
The central figure is a young person with long dark hair and a solemn expression. Their exposed chest and shoulders are overlaid with a series of numbers, a prominent "B" logo, and fragments of text, evoking the language of uniforms, branding, or bureaucratic labeling. The surrounding backdrop resembles a faded poster bearing the words "GENERAL" and "ALL PERSONS," hinting at institutional or collective contexts.
Technique & Style
Phillips employs a combination of charcoal’s deep blacks, chalk’s soft tonal range, and pencil’s precise line work. Cross‑hatching builds volume and texture, while the graphic markings appear integrated into the skin, blurring the boundary between figure and surface. The contrast between the crisp, almost mechanical symbols and the organic form creates a tension characteristic of contemporary figurative drawing.
History & Provenance
The drawing entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, reflecting the institution’s interest in early‑21st‑century drawing practices. It has been included in several exhibitions exploring the intersection of figuration and graphic culture, though it has not been loaned extensively beyond MoMA’s walls.
Context
Phillips’ practice often investigates the visual language of advertising, signage, and institutional markings, situating this work within a broader inquiry into how public symbols infiltrate personal identity. The early 2000s saw a resurgence of interest in drawing as a primary medium for conceptual investigation, and this piece exemplifies that trend.
Artist & collection
