Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil painting by the Abstract Expressionist artist Salvatore Scarpitta. It dates from 1959 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a 1959 painting by Salvatore Scarpitta, combines oil and casein on canvas strips mounted over an underlying armature, resulting in a unique, textured piece.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts crumpled, beige fabric with irregular, sharp folds, evoking a sense of dynamic movement and spontaneity, characteristic of abstract expressionism.
Technique & Style
Scarpitta achieved the piece's tactile quality by sewing together canvas strips, then applying paint to mimic the appearance of draped fabric. The armature beneath accentuates the three-dimensional folds.
History & Provenance
Untitled is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, aligning with the institution's holdings of mid-20th-century abstract expressionist works.
Context
Created during the height of abstract expressionism, the piece reflects the movement's emphasis on gestural abstraction, though Scarpitta's sculptural approach sets it apart.
Legacy
While specific influence of *Untitled* is not broadly documented, it contributes to Scarpitta's reputation for innovatively exploring motion and texture in his sculptural paintings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Salvatore Scarpitta (23 March 1919 – 10 April 2007) was an American artist best known for his sculptural studies of motion.
