Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by William Brice. It dates from 1961 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1961, this lithographic print by William Brice is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. The composition centers on a solitary figure reclining on a bed, partially concealed by a blanket, set against a sparsely rendered interior. The work’s scale and medium place it within the artist’s early printmaking period.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a moment of private repose, with the figure’s body and the surrounding furnishings reduced to essential outlines. The presence of a window with blinds suggests an interior space that is both confined and illuminated, while the ambiguous, hurried marks convey a sense of transience or emotional tension within the scene.
Technique & Style
Brice employed the lithographic process to produce a network of uneven, gestural lines that dominate the background. The marks are left deliberately raw, resembling rapid scribbles rather than refined drawing, which creates a visual contrast between the clearly defined bed and figure and the chaotic surrounding surface.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in the early 1960s, a period when Brice was exploring print media alongside his painting practice. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings shortly after its creation, where it remains catalogued as an example of his experimental approach to lithography.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Arnstein, professionally William Brice was an American artist known for his large-scale abstract paintings.
