Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Robert Therrien. It dates from 1994 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a 1994 digital print by Robert Therrien, deviates from the artist's signature large-scale sculptures of everyday objects. Instead, it presents a softly rendered, blurry image of a face and shoulders set against a pale background, characterized by indistinct lines, gray and beige tones, and an overall lack of sharpness.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of Untitled is a face, but its blurred, ghostly appearance transcends traditional portraiture, potentially inviting contemplation on the ephemeral nature of representation or the deconstruction of the familiar. The soft, ethereal quality may evoke a sense of anonymity or universality.
Technique & Style
Employing digital print technology, Therrien achieves a smooth, indistinct texture throughout the image. The technique, reminiscent of sfumato—a painting method that blends colors to create soft, hazy effects—contributes to the work's dreamy, out-of-focus appearance, deliberately eschewing clarity for an atmospheric, blurred rendition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1994, Untitled is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, marking a departure in medium and scale from Therrien's more renowned sculptural works.
Artist & collection
Artist
Robert Therrien (November 17, 1947 – June 17, 2019) was an American artist known for his large-scale sculptures.
