Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Varvara Stepanova. It dates from 1929 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Varvara Stepanova’s 1929 drawing, untitled, consists of two adjacent sketches rendered on a single sheet of lined paper.
Varvara Stepanova’s 1929 drawing, untitled, consists of two adjacent sketches rendered on a single sheet of lined paper. Both compositions are executed in pencil and colored pencil, presenting preliminary ideas for a sign. The left design features a blocky “CA” with a brief line of supporting text, while the right shows the word “Concerts” struck through and replaced by “Archives,” indicating a rapid revision of concept.
Subject & Meaning
The work functions as a visual notebook of graphic design experimentation, capturing the fluid decision‑making process behind signage. By juxtaposing a bold initial proposal with a crossed‑out alternative, Stepanova highlights the mutable nature of visual communication and the role of revision in shaping public information.
Technique & Style
Executed with loose pencil strokes and colored pencil accents, the drawing employs the ruled background of the paper as a structural grid. Cross‑hatching and varied line weight create subtle shading, while the informal hand of the artist conveys immediacy. The use of colored pencil adds brief highlights without detracting from the draft quality.
History & Provenance
Created in 1929, the piece entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is currently held. Its inclusion reflects MoMA’s interest in early Soviet constructivist practices and the documentation of design processes within that period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Varvara Fyodorovna Stepanova was a Russian artist. With her husband Alexander Rodchenko, she was associated with the Constructivist branch of the Russian avant-garde, which rejected aesthetic values in favour of…
