Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Roberto Matta, oil, 1944
Untitled, by Roberto Matta, oil, 1944

Untitled is an oil painting by the Abstract Expressionist artist Roberto Matta. It dates from 1944 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1944 by Chilean surrealist Roberto Matta, *Untitled* is an oil-on-canvas painting that embodies the abstract expressionist movement through its non-representational composition.

Subject & Meaning

While the painting avoids direct representation, suggestive forms allude to figures, architecture, and objects, blurring the line between reality and the subconscious, reflecting Matta’s surrealist exploration of the psychological and imaginative.

Technique & Style

Characterized by thick, expressive brushwork and bold contrasts, the painting features swirling dark hues overlaid with sharp white lines, creating a dynamic, unstable visual field that conveys a sense of fluidity and tension.

History & Provenance

*Untitled* is part of The Museum of Modern Art’s collection, highlighting its recognition within the 20th-century surrealist and abstract expressionist movements.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Roberto Matta

Artist

Roberto Matta

Roberto Antonio Sebástian Matta-Echaurren (Spanish: ; November 11, 1911 – November 23, 2002), usually known simply as Matta, also as Sebastián Matta or Roberto Matta, was one of Chile's best-known painters and figures…

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