Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Saul Steinberg, ink, 1946
Untitled, by Saul Steinberg, ink, 1946

Untitled is an ink drawing by Saul Steinberg. It dates from 1946 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Saul Steinberg's Untitled, created around 1946, is an ink drawing on paper held at The Museum of Modern Art.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a tangled, ambiguous form suggestive of a face, hat, and hand. It parodies Henri Matisse's loose style by using stark black ink and sharp angles, subverting expectations.

Technique & Style

Steinberg employed ink to create a complex, abstracted image. The use of sharp lines and angles contrasts with Matisse's characteristic fluidity, highlighting the parody.

Context

This work engages with the artistic style of Henri Matisse, using humor to comment on the characteristics of his approach.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.