Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an acrylic painting by the Pop art artist Rosalyn Drexler. It dates from 1966 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1966, this untitled work by Rosalyn Drexler combines acrylic paint with paper applied to canvas. The piece is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed as an example of the artist’s mid‑sixties practice.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a stark, largely black field punctuated by geometric forms in white, green and a touch of orange. A prominent white oval containing a stylized face leans against a black circle that resembles a mask or helmet, while a green‑clad arm reaches outward, grasping a small white object. The simplified silhouettes suggest a narrative scene without explicit detail.
Technique & Style
Drexler employs a thick, uneven application of acrylic, creating a textured surface that emphasizes the flatness of each shape. The use of paper collage alongside the paint adds a layered quality, reinforcing the work’s graphic, cut‑out aesthetic while retaining the tactile presence of impasto.
History & Provenance
After its completion in 1966, the painting entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it has remained. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s interest in documenting the experimental approaches of American artists during the 1960s.
Context
The work belongs to a period when Drexler explored genre scenes through abstraction, merging figurative hints with bold, graphic forms. This approach aligns with broader trends in the 1960s that questioned conventional representation by emphasizing surface, materiality, and the interplay of painting and collage.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rosalyn Drexler was an American visual artist, novelist, Obie Award-winning playwright, Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and professional wrestler.
