Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by John William Waterhouse. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2013, this monoprint by Jo Waterhouse is titled *Untitled*. It is composed of two vertical zones: the left half presents black crosses on a white field, while the right half reverses the scheme with white crosses set against a black background. The work bears the artist’s signature and an edition number in the lower margin.
Subject & Meaning
The composition consists solely of repeated cross motifs, arranged in a loose, irregular grid. By juxtaposing the two contrasting color inversions, Waterhouse invites viewers to consider visual balance and the tension between positive and negative space, without offering an explicit narrative.
Technique & Style
Executed as a monoprint, the piece relies on the direct transfer of ink onto paper, allowing for variations in texture. The left side’s crosses appear rough and uneven, suggesting a more spontaneous application, whereas the right side’s forms are smoother and exhibit subtle halos, creating a sense of illumination against the dark ground.
History & Provenance
The work belongs to a limited edition series, each print signed and numbered by Waterhouse. Details of its exhibition history or ownership prior to the current collection are not publicly documented.
Artist & collection
Artist
John William Waterhouse (baptised 6 April 1849 – 10 February 1917) was an English painter known for working first in the Academic style and for then embracing the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's style and subject matter.
