Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Robert Grosvenor. It dates from 1967 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1967, this untitled work by Robert Grosvenur merges collage and drawing on paper. It incorporates cut and pasted fragments of paper, printed material, pencil, colored pencil, ink, and two gelatin‑silver photographic prints, forming a single, layered composition that functions as a drawing rather than a traditional sculpture.
Subject & Meaning
The image resembles an architectural blueprint, with hand‑drawn walls, beams, and staircases rendered in pencil and ink. A handwritten annotation at the bottom records adjustments to the design, suggesting the piece documents a planning process rather than presenting a finished built environment.
Technique & Style
Grosvenur assembles the surface by cutting and adhering paper elements, then adds linear marks with pencil, colored pencil, and ink to define structural forms. The inclusion of gelatin‑silver prints introduces photographic texture, while the overall composition maintains a restrained, geometric minimalism that emphasizes flatness and precision.
History & Provenance
The work entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is catalogued as a drawing. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s interest in mid‑century minimalism and in artists who bridge sculpture, architecture, and two‑dimensional media.
Context
Although Grosvenur is primarily known for large‑scale installations that integrate sculpture with architectural space, this piece translates his spatial concerns onto a two‑dimensional plane. The minimalist aesthetic and emphasis on construction details align the work with broader 1960s investigations into process, materiality, and the intersection of art and design.
Artist & collection
Artist
Robert Strawbridge Grosvenor (March 31, 1937 – September 3, 2025) was an American contemporary sculptor, installation artist and draftsman.
