Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Robert Mothé, ink, 1964
Untitled, by Robert Mothé, ink, 1964

Untitled is an ink print by Robert Mothé. It dates from 1964 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Untitled, a 1964 screenprint with collage additions by Robert Motherwell, exemplifies the artist's fusion of printmaking and mixed media techniques within the abstract expressionist movement.

Subject & Meaning

The work's composition, featuring irregular blocks of pale yellow and white, a prominent black circle, and a spontaneous black scribble, embodies the expressive and intellectual explorations characteristic of Motherwell's practice, which often drew inspiration from literature and philosophy.

Technique & Style

Motherwell utilized screenprinting for its reproducibility, evident in the flat, uniform colors, and juxtaposed this method with hand-added collage elements, such as the irregular shapes and the expressive scribble, to introduce spontaneity and texture.

History & Provenance

Created as part of a ten-print portfolio, *Untitled* is represented in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, reflecting its significance within Motherwell's oeuvre and the broader context of the New York School of abstract expressionism.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Robert Mothé

Artist

Robert Mothé

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.