Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Wilfred M. Zogbaum. It dates from 1937 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a lithograph from a portfolio of thirty-one works created by Wilfred M. Zogbaum in 1937. Characterized by overlapping shapes, uneven lines, and a predominantly black and white color scheme, the piece exudes a spontaneous, sketch-like quality.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of Untitled is ambiguous, with shapes suggesting furniture, buildings, and human figures in a chaotic, intertwined arrangement. The overall effect is more expressive than representational, implying an emphasis on creative impulse over clear narrative or depiction.
Technique & Style
Executed in bold, uneven black ink on a plain white background, the lithograph showcases Zogbaum's use of expressive, possibly rapid, strokes. The lack of precision in line matching and the overall rough texture contribute to its spontaneous, playful appearance.
History & Provenance
Created in 1937 by Wilfred M. Zogbaum, an American artist with a diverse practice spanning painting, sculpture, and later, commercial photography, Untitled is now part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Context
While Zogbaum's later career veered into sculpture and photography, this 1937 lithograph reflects his early explorations in printmaking, a medium that allowed for the kind of spontaneous creativity evident in Untitled.
Legacy
As part of a larger portfolio, Untitled contributes to the broader understanding of Zogbaum's artistic development and the experimentation with lithography among mid-20th-century American artists.
Artist & collection
Artist
Wilfrid "Zog" Zogbaum (1915 – January 7, 1965) was an American painter, sculptor, and educator. He was also a commercial photographer in the late 1940s, and started a sculpture studio in Montauk.
