Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Richard Smith, acrylic, 1966
Untitled, by Richard Smith, acrylic, 1966

Untitled is an acrylic painting by the Pop art artist Richard Smith. It dates from 1966 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Richard Smith's 'Untitled' (1966) is a three-part acrylic painting on shaped canvas, incorporating sheet aluminum, housed at The Museum of Modern Art.

Subject & Meaning

The work features three large, geometric red panels with sharp angles and curves. A dynamic, white, wavy form appears to emerge from the central panel, conveying a sense of movement.

Technique & Style

Smith employed innovative techniques, cutting and bending the canvas and aluminum to achieve the work's three-dimensional, sculptural quality, blurring the line between painting and object.

History & Provenance

Created in 1966, 'Untitled' is part of Smith's series of shaped canvases, characteristic of his bold experimentation with form and space during this period.

Context

Displayed against a plain wall on a light floor, the installation emphasizes the interplay between the work's sculptural elements and its surroundings, engaging the viewer's spatial perception.

Artist & collection

Artist

Richard Smith

Richard Smith (1931–2016) was a British artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.