Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Robert Hansen. It dates from 1965 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Rendered in a uniform light tan hue, the composition lacks any discernible background, focusing attention on the simple line work that defines each head.
Robert Hansen’s 1965 lithograph, untitled, presents a systematic arrangement of thirty minimalist facial sketches. Rendered in a uniform light tan hue, the composition lacks any discernible background, focusing attention on the simple line work that defines each head. The work is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection and is identified by the inscription “multiple men” and the artist’s name with the date.
Subject & Meaning
The piece depicts a series of anonymous heads, some rendered with minimal indications of hair or eyes, others left blank, suggesting a study of individuality within a collective. The occasional inclusion of collars, scarves, or a tiny plant motif introduces subtle variations, inviting contemplation of identity, anonymity, and the interplay between uniformity and personal detail.
Technique & Style
Created through lithography, the image relies on the artist’s direct drawing on a limestone or metal plate, transferred to paper via oil-based inks. Hansen’s lines are loose and sketch‑like, conveying a sense of immediacy akin to quick observational notes. The repetitive grid structure emphasizes the print’s systematic approach while the hand‑drawn quality retains a personal, informal touch.
History & Provenance
The lithograph was produced in 1965, a period when Hansen explored serial imagery and graphic experimentation. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings shortly after its creation, where it remains on display as part of the institution’s mid‑century print collection, reflecting the museum’s commitment to documenting the development of American printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Robert Christian Boes Hansen, also known as the Butcher Baker, was an American serial killer active in Anchorage, Alaska, between 1971 and 1983, abducting, raping and murdering at least seventeen women.
