Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Walt Kuhn, ink, 1924
Untitled, by Walt Kuhn, ink, 1924

Untitled is an ink print by Walt Kuhn. It dates from 1924 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

This is a simple black-and-white sketch of a woman’s face. Her hair is pulled back, showing a high forehead and strong eyebrows. The lines are loose but confident, with a few quick strokes for her collar and hair curls.

The artist signed it in the corner—"Walt Kuhn"—and dated it 1924. There’s no color, just shading and line work to shape her features.

Want to know more? Check out lithography.

Overview

Walt Kuhn's 1924 lithograph, *Untitled*, is a black-and-white portrait of a woman with a high forehead and strong eyebrows, rendered in loose yet confident lines. The work is characterized by simple, expressive shading and line work, with minimal details such as quick strokes for her collar and hair curls. Signed and dated by the artist in the corner.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of the lithograph is a woman, depicted with a pulled-back hairstyle, emphasizing her facial features. The portrait's simplicity and focus on line and shading suggest an emphasis on capturing the sitter's essence rather than intricate detail.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, the work showcases Kuhn's use of the medium to achieve expressive, loose lines and nuanced shading. The overall style is consistent with the modernist tendencies of the time, prioritizing directness and simplicity.

History & Provenance

Created in 1924, during Kuhn's established career as a painter and figure in American modernism, the lithograph is now part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection. Kuhn's involvement in the 1913 Armory Show, which introduced European Modernism to a broad American audience, contextualizes his work within the broader modernist movement.

Context

The work reflects Kuhn's engagement with modernist principles, as seen in his organization of the 1913 Armory Show. This event's impact on American art's shift towards modernism provides a backdrop for understanding the lithograph's aesthetic choices.

Legacy

As part of MoMA's collection, *Untitled* contributes to the institutional narrative of American modernism's development. It stands as a testament to Kuhn's multifaceted contribution to the era, beyond his organizational role in key modernist events.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Walt Kuhn

Artist

Walt Kuhn

Walter Francis Kuhn (October 27, 1877 – July 13, 1949) was an American painter and an organizer of the famous Armory Show of 1913, which was America's first large-scale introduction to European Modernism.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.