Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Robert Mothé. It dates from 1962 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Robert Motherwell’s 1962 lithograph, titled Untitled, exemplifies his mature period within Abstract Expressionism. Executed as a black‑on‑white print, the work presents a roughly circular, jagged‑edged form that appears to pulse against a lighter field, punctuated by scattered darker marks. The piece is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition relies on abstract visual language rather than representational content, inviting viewers to consider emotional and intellectual resonances. The central shape, with its irregular edge and illuminated interior, suggests a tension between solidity and openness, a motif Motherwell often employed to explore philosophical ideas through form.
Technique & Style
Created through lithographic processes, Motherwell manipulated the stone surface to achieve varied textures, from dense, dark strokes to delicate tonal washes. The contrast between the heavy, jagged outline and the surrounding lighter tones generates a sense of movement, reflecting the artist’s interest in dynamic, gestural abstraction.
History & Provenance
The lithograph was produced during Motherwell’s most active years as a leading figure of the New York School. After its completion in 1962, it entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on view as part of the institution’s holdings of mid‑century American prints.
Artist & collection
Artist
Robert Motherwell (January 24, 1915 – July 16, 1991) was an American abstract expressionist painter, printmaker, and editor of The Dada Painters and Poets: an Anthology.
