Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Stanley William Hayter. It dates from 1939 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a 1939 print by Stanley William Hayter, combines engraving and etching techniques to depict a chaotic, surrealistic scene in bold, uneven black lines.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows a hunched figure holding a flat, shield-like object, with an extended arm and a bird in the corner, evoking a sense of tension and dreamlike ambiguity characteristic of surrealism.
Technique & Style
Hayter employed engraving and etching to create thick, expressive lines, scratching into metal with a sharp tool before inking, resulting in a dynamic, almost scribbled appearance.
History & Provenance
Created during Hayter's association with surrealism, the work is now part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, reflecting Hayter's influence as founder of Atelier 17, a hub for notable artists.
Artist & collection
Artist
Stanley William Hayter (27 December 1901 – 4 May 1988) was an English painter and master printmaker associated in the 1930s with surrealism and from 1940 onward with abstract expressionism.
