Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a charcoal drawing by Robert Delaunay. It dates from 1922 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1922, this charcoal drawing by Robert Delaunay is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art. The work is untitled and consists of a single sheet of paper on which the artist rendered a profile portrait using charcoal. The piece measures modestly and exemplifies Delaunay’s interest in drawing as a direct, immediate medium.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a solitary male figure rendered in profile, his gaze directed slightly to the left. He wears a collared shirt and a bow tie, his hair cut short and a neatly trimmed mustache accentuating a serious expression. The straightforward representation suggests a focus on individual character rather than narrative context.
Technique & Style
Delaunay employed rapid, sketchy charcoal strokes to delineate facial features and clothing, allowing the medium’s tonal range to suggest form and texture. The lines remain loose, conveying a sense of immediacy, while the paper’s worn surface bears evidence of handling, adding a subtle patina to the drawing.
History & Provenance
The drawing entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings after its acquisition, though details of its earlier ownership are not recorded in the available sources. Its presence in the museum’s collection situates it among other early twentieth‑century works that document Delaunay’s broader artistic output beyond his well‑known paintings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Robert Delaunay was a French artist of the School of Paris movement; who, with his wife Sonia Delaunay and others, co-founded the Orphism art movement, noted for its use of strong colours and geometric shapes.
