Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Vladimir Mayakovsky. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1914, this lithograph by Vladimir Mayakovsky is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art. The work consists of two separate panels that juxtapose chaotic, exaggerated scenes rendered in vivid hues. Both images are accompanied by Russian captions, adding a textual layer to the visual narrative.
Subject & Meaning
The upper panel depicts a flamboyantly dressed rider in red charging at a regiment of uniformly attired soldiers, suggesting a confrontation between individual force and organized militarism. The lower panel shows a rider whipping a tumult of cats and dogs, one feline suspended mid‑air, evoking absurdity and perhaps a satirical critique of authority or violence.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the piece relies on bold, flat areas of color and simplified, cartoon‑like forms. Mayakovsky’s use of stark outlines and exaggerated proportions creates a graphic impact typical of early twentieth‑century printmaking, while the Russian text integrates a literary element into the visual field.
History & Provenance
Vladimir Mayakovsky, better known for his poetry, produced this print during a period of intense political upheaval in Russia. The work entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains accessible for study as an example of avant‑garde print culture of the pre‑revolutionary era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Vladimir Vladimirovich Mayakovsky was a Russian poet, playwright, artist, and actor.
