Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Sigmar Polke in 1972.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.

Artwork

Untitled

Sigmar Polke , 1972

Untitled is an ink print by Sigmar Polke. It dates from 1972 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1972, *Untitled* comprises a quartet of photolithographic prints by German artist Sigmar Polke. The works are part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection and exemplify Polke’s engagement with photographic processes during a period when he temporarily set aside painting.

Subject & Meaning

Each print depicts a cramped studio corner, rendered in stark black and white. A figure is seated at a cluttered desk surrounded by papers, a sewing machine, and a box marked “Safety First,” while a dim lamp illuminates the scene, suggesting a candid glimpse into the artist’s working environment and the disorder inherent in creative practice.

Technique & Style

Polke employed a straightforward camera to capture the scene, then transferred the image onto lithographic stones for printing. The resulting photolithographs retain a raw, unpolished quality, blurring the line between documentary photography and fine-art printmaking.

History & Provenance

The series emerged during Polke’s early‑1970s immersion in photographic media, a phase that preceded his return to painting later in the decade. After its creation, the four prints entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where they remain on view.

Context

Polke’s experimental ethos led him to explore a range of media, from painting to photography and print. *Untitled* reflects his interest in everyday subjects and the materiality of the printing process, aligning with broader 1970s tendencies toward conceptual and process‑oriented art.