Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Saul Steinberg. It dates from 1967 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Saul Steinberg’s 1967 lithograph, untitled, belongs to a limited series of nine prints, one of which incorporates embossing. The work is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Executed as a hand‑drawn lithographic image, it presents a whimsical, dream‑like tableau that invites the viewer to decipher its playful narrative.
Subject & Meaning
The composition juxtaposes a galloping horse and dog with two peculiar pyramids crowned by eyes, while a winged figure watches nearby. On the opposite side, a lion in a top hat perches atop a box brimming with gears and coins, all set against a turbulent, dim sky that hints at an urban silhouette. The scene functions as a visual riddle, blending absurdity with symbolic suggestion.
Technique & Style
Created through traditional lithography, Steinberg employed hand‑drawn lines transferred onto a stone or metal plate, producing a crisp yet fluid line quality. The print’s surface retains the tactile quality of the artist’s touch, and the inclusion of embossing in the series adds a subtle three‑dimensional element, emphasizing the work’s playful, puzzle‑like character.
History & Provenance
The lithograph was produced in 1967 as part of Steinberg’s broader exploration of printmaking. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains on view as part of the institution’s representation of mid‑century American graphic art.
Context
Steinberg, known for his contributions to The New Yorker and his inventive visual humor, often merged illustration with fine art. This untitled piece reflects his interest in combining narrative ambiguity with formal experimentation, situating it within the 1960s milieu of print artists who challenged conventional boundaries between commercial illustration and high art.
Artist & collection
