Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil painting by the Abstract Expressionist artist Robert Goodnough. It dates from 1967 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled (1967) is an abstract painting by Robert Goodnough, executed in a combination of synthetic polymer paint, oil, and charcoal on canvas. Characterized by its layered, expressive composition, the work embodies the artist's involvement with Abstract Expressionism.
Subject & Meaning
The painting's subject is abstract, conveying emotion and process through gestural marks and layered forms rather than representational content. Its meaning lies in the dynamic interplay of color, texture, and spontaneous brushwork.
Technique & Style
Goodnough employs a mix of techniques, blending painting and drawing elements. Vibrant, geometric shapes (rectangles, triangles) in red, blue, green, yellow, and white, some solid and others outlined in black, intersect with scribbled black and gray lines. The textured, layered approach, set against a multicolored background, aligns with Abstract Expressionist principles.
History & Provenance
Created in 1967, the painting is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection. As a second-generation member of the New York School, Goodnough began exhibiting in New York in the early 1950s, participating in pivotal events like the 9th Street Art Exhibition of 1951.
Context
Within the broader art historical context, Untitled reflects the evolution of Abstract Expressionism in the 1960s, characterized by continued experimentation with form, color, and expressive technique among its practitioners.
Legacy
As part of Goodnough's oeuvre, Untitled contributes to the legacy of Abstract Expressionism, illustrating the movement's enduring influence on modern and contemporary abstract art practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Robert Goodnough (October 23, 1917 – October 2, 2010) was an American abstract expressionist painter.
