Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Rosemarie Trockel. It dates from 1994 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1994, this drawing by Rosemarie Trockel is executed in colored pencil on paper and resides in The Museum of Modern Art’s collection.
Created in 1994, this drawing by Rosemarie Trockel is executed in colored pencil on paper and resides in The Museum of Modern Art’s collection. It presents a stylized portrait with minimal detail, emphasizing form over realism. The use of colored pencil, rather than paint, lends a delicate, layered texture. A faint grid pattern is visible beneath the skin tones, suggesting an underlying structural framework guiding the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is depicted wearing oversized sunglasses and a knit cap, obscuring the eyes and much of the facial identity. This concealment evokes anonymity and emotional distance, common themes in Trockel’s exploration of gender and perception. The absence of visible eyes shifts focus to the contours of the face and the tension between visibility and concealment, inviting contemplation rather than recognition.
Technique & Style
Trockel employs soft, light strokes of colored pencil to define the face, with subtle shading around the jaw and eye sockets. The lines are loose and sketch-like, avoiding polish in favor of immediacy. The faint grid beneath the drawing hints at an initial planning stage, possibly referencing systems of measurement or control. The medium’s precision allows for both delicacy and clarity, contrasting with the ambiguity of the subject.
History & Provenance
The work entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection following its creation in 1994, part of a broader recognition of Trockel’s contributions to contemporary drawing. It has been exhibited in contexts highlighting her engagement with identity and materiality. No prior ownership history is publicly documented beyond its acquisition by the museum, reflecting its status as a studio work rather than a commissioned piece.
Context
Made during a period when Trockel was intensively exploring portraiture and the construction of identity, this piece aligns with her interest in everyday objects and gendered stereotypes. The knit cap references her earlier textile works, while the sunglasses echo cultural symbols of detachment. The drawing resists narrative closure, fitting within 1990s conceptual practices that questioned representation and authorship.
Legacy
This drawing exemplifies Trockel’s influence on contemporary approaches to portraiture, particularly in how she uses restraint to provoke psychological unease. Its inclusion in MoMA’s collection underscores its role in expanding the boundaries of drawing as a conceptual medium. Subsequent artists have cited her use of mundane materials and obscured identity as pivotal in redefining figurative work in the late 20th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rosemarie Trockel is a German conceptual artist. She has made drawings, paintings, sculptures, videos and installations, and has worked in mixed media. From 1985, she made pictures using knitting-machines. She is a…
