Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache drawing by Thelma Johnson Streat. It dates from 1941 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1941 by Thelma Beatrice Johnson Streat, this gouache drawing on board measures a tall, stylized figure rendered in stark black, red, and white. The composition is anchored by a red platform and a yellow oval, while the background consists of thin red lines set against a muted yellow‑brown field. The work is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is abstracted, with an oversized head, wide arms, and a body bisected down the middle. Facial features are reduced to two dots for eyes and a small circle for a mouth, emphasizing anonymity and universal expression. The simplified forms and bold palette suggest a focus on movement and presence rather than narrative detail.
Technique & Style
Streat employed gouache, an opaque water‑based medium that allows for vivid, flat areas of color and sharp edges. The drawing’s clean lines and geometric simplification reflect a modernist aesthetic, while the use of contrasting hues creates visual tension. The medium’s matte finish contributes to the work’s graphic quality.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced during a period when Streat was active as a dancer, educator, and visual artist, contributing to intercultural dialogue through her practice. After its creation, the drawing entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on view as part of the institution’s holdings of mid‑twentieth‑century American art.
Context
Streat’s career unfolded in the 1940s, a time when African‑American artists were navigating both artistic innovation and social barriers. Her work integrates performance sensibilities with visual abstraction, reflecting broader modernist trends while also addressing themes of identity and cultural exchange.
Artist & collection
Artist
Thelma Beatrice Johnson Streat (1912–1959) was an African-American artist, dancer, and educator. She gained prominence in the 1940s for her art, performance and work to foster intercultural understanding and appreciation.
