Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Rudolf Schlichter in 1920.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.

Untitled by Rudolf Schlichter (1920) — Meaning & Museum

About this work

Overview

The composition conveys a light‑hearted, kinetic atmosphere that contrasts with the artist’s reputation for incisive social critique.

Created in 1920, this lithograph by German artist Rudolf Schlichter belongs to the verist strand of the New Objectivity movement. Executed in black‑and‑white lithographic technique, the work presents a domestic interior populated by several figures, including a woman in a hat and a seated man, illuminated by light from a window. The composition conveys a light‑hearted, kinetic atmosphere that contrasts with the artist’s reputation for incisive social critique.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a casual gathering within a room, where the female figure adopts a confident stance, hand on her hip, while the male figure rests on a chair. Though the setting appears playful, the inclusion of everyday characters aligns with Schlichter’s broader interest in portraying the ordinary lives of post‑World War I Germany, inviting viewers to consider the social dynamics of the period.

Technique & Style

Schlichter employs bold, decisive lines characteristic of lithography, allowing the figures to appear both expressive and in motion. The stark contrasts between light and shadow enhance the sense of depth, while the simplified forms reflect the New Objectivity’s emphasis on clarity and realism without romanticization. The medium’s capacity for fine tonal variation supports the lively yet controlled composition.

History & Provenance

The lithograph entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of early 20th‑century German prints. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s interest in documenting the critical‑realist tendencies of the New Objectivity and Schlichter’s role as a prominent voice in interwar German art.