Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Roy DeCarava. It dates from 1951 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1951, this screenprint by Roy DeCarava is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. The work presents a stark, simplified scene in which two anonymous figures stand before a light‑blue brick wall punctuated by a dark metal gate. The composition relies on flat planes of muted color and clean geometric outlines, giving the image a quiet, contemplative atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
This abstraction removes personal identity, inviting viewers to consider themes of anonymity, urban presence, or the universal experience of waiting.
The two standing figures are rendered without facial or bodily detail, their faces and torsos concealed by blank rectangular shapes. This abstraction removes personal identity, inviting viewers to consider themes of anonymity, urban presence, or the universal experience of waiting. The juxtaposition of the solid gate and the brick backdrop reinforces a sense of boundary and enclosure within an everyday setting.
Technique & Style
Executed as a screenprint, the piece utilizes bold, linear cuts that define the figures, wall, and gate. DeCarava’s choice of a limited palette—soft blues, grays, and blacks—emphasizes form over color, while the crisp edges and geometric simplification reflect a modernist sensibility. The medium allows for flat, uniform areas of tone that enhance the work’s graphic clarity.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in the early 1950s, a period when DeCarava was expanding beyond his well‑known photographic practice into printmaking. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through acquisition (or donation) in the mid‑20th century, where it remains on view as an example of his exploration of abstraction and urban motifs.
Artist & collection
