Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Tom Marioni. It dates from 1990 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1990, this pencil drawing on paper belongs to the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1990, this pencil drawing on paper belongs to the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The work, titled Untitled, is attributed to Tom Marioni, an American artist born in 1937 who has been active in the conceptual art scene since the 1960s. The piece presents a minimalist composition rendered with simple line work.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts three elementary forms: a stylized tree, a bird in flight, and a solitary figure. The sparse representation invites viewers to contemplate the relationship between nature and human presence, a recurring concern in Marioni’s practice, which often foregrounds everyday objects and gestures as sites of conceptual inquiry.
Technique & Style
Executed with graphite, the image relies on basic lines and modest cross‑hatching to suggest volume and texture. The artist’s restraint eliminates ornamental detail, emphasizing the drawing’s structural clarity. This pared‑down approach aligns with Marioni’s broader interest in reducing visual language to its essential elements.
History & Provenance
The work entered MoMA’s holdings shortly after its creation, becoming part of the museum’s collection of post‑1960s conceptual art. Marioni, who founded the Museum of Conceptual Art in San Francisco (1970‑1984), continues to produce work and reside in the Bay Area, maintaining an active role in contemporary art discourse.
Context
Marioni’s Untitled emerges from a period when conceptual artists were questioning the primacy of the art object itself. By employing a modest medium and a straightforward subject, the drawing reflects the era’s emphasis on idea over elaborate execution, situating it within the broader trajectory of 20th‑century conceptual practice.
Artist & collection
Artist
Tom Marioni (born 1937) is an American artist and educator, known for his conceptual artwork.
