Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache drawing by Romare Bearden. It dates from 1935 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1935, this drawing by Romare Bearden combines ink, gouache, and pencil on paper. The composition presents a domestic interior where a seated figure reads a newspaper while a second figure, dressed in an exaggerated diving suit, occupies a bathtub. The work is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Subject & Meaning
The scene juxtaposes everyday activity—a man perusing a newspaper—with an absurd element: a bulky diving suit placed in a bathtub. The contrast invites a humorous reading, suggesting the ridiculousness of certain occupations or situations by placing a specialized, out‑of‑place object in a mundane setting.
Technique & Style
Bearden employs a mixed media approach, layering ink lines with gouache washes and pencil shading to define forms and texture. The drawing’s limited palette emphasizes tonal contrast, while the loose, gestural strokes convey both the solidity of the diving suit and the softness of the surrounding furnishings.
History & Provenance
Romare Bearden, born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1911, completed his studies at New York University the same year he produced this work. Early in his career he focused on Southern scenes before expanding to broader themes. The piece entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection, where it remains on view.
Context
The drawing emerges from a period when Bearden was exploring humor and social commentary through everyday subjects. By 1935, he was transitioning from regional depictions toward more universal concerns, a shift that would later include reflections on wartime experiences and humanist topics.
Artist & collection
Artist
Romare Howard Bearden (, ROH-mə-ree) (September 2, 1911 – March 12, 1988) was an American artist, author, and songwriter.
