Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Susan Rothenberg. It dates from 1991 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a 1991 woodcut print by Susan Rothenberg, embodies the artist's signature blend of abstract and representational elements. The work features a juxtaposition of forms, with a dark, ambiguous shape on the left and a geometric composition on the right, accented by a bold red stripe.
Subject & Meaning
The left side of the print presents a tangled, possibly equine or cloud-like form, rendered in rough, scratchy lines, inviting interpretation. In contrast, the right side's grid of light green squares, disrupted by a thin red stripe, suggests a dynamic interplay between structure and spontaneity.
Technique & Style
Rothenberg utilized the woodcut technique, carving the design into wood before inking. Notably, the red stripe appears to be a later addition, overlaid on the woodcut marks, introducing a sense of layered creativity and visual tension.
History & Provenance
Created in 1991, *Untitled* is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, reflecting the institution's interest in Rothenberg's explorations of hybrid artistic modes.
Context
This work aligns with Rothenberg's broader practice of challenging the boundaries between abstraction and representation, for which she is notably recognized, especially through her horse depictions.
Legacy
As part of MoMA's collection, *Untitled* contributes to the museum's narrative on contemporary printmaking and the evolution of mixed representational-abstract art forms in the late 20th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Susan Charna Rothenberg (January 20, 1945 – May 18, 2020) was an American contemporary painter, printmaker, sculptor, and draughtswoman.
