Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an acrylic painting by the Neo Expressionist artist Robert Colescott. It dates from 1989 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a 1989 acrylic painting on canvas by Robert Colescott, characterized by its vibrant, chaotic scene and exaggerated figures.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a crowded, disordered environment with diverse characters, including a nurse, skeleton, priest, and woman, each with distinct, emotive expressions. The image on the nurse's phone, showing a small family, may comment on the distraction of technology.
Technique & Style
Colescott's bold, gestural style, influenced by his studies under Fernand Léger, is evident in the painting's expressive forms and clashing colors. The work blends abstract and figurative elements, reflecting the artist's engagement with Neo-Expressionism.
History & Provenance
Untitled is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection in New York, and is among the artist's works that address social and racial themes through satire and humor.
Context
Colescott's work often explores African American identity, using humor and critique to examine social issues, a approach reflected in this painting's mix of serious and playful elements.
Artist & collection
Artist
Robert H. Colescott (August 26, 1925 – June 4, 2009) was an American painter. He is known for satirical genre and crowd subjects, often conveying his exuberant, comical, or bitter reflections on being African American.…
