Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by William Frederick Weege III. It dates from 1967 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1967, this untitled offset lithograph belongs to a series of twenty‑four offset prints and a single screenprint assembled by artist William Frederick Weege III. The work is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection and exemplifies the artist’s engagement with print media during the late 1960s.
Subject & Meaning
The composition juxtaposes a dark green field with a collage of human faces, medical terminology, and bold slogans. A crowned figure bearing a cross, a partially obscured visage surrounded by anatomical labels, and a third figure clutching a scroll advertising U.S. Savings Bonds create a layered narrative that intertwines themes of authority, bodily vulnerability, and political economy.
Technique & Style
Executed as an offset lithograph, the piece employs a mixture of photographic collage and hand‑drawn elements. The stark black lettering—most notably the phrase “Kill For Oil”—contrasts with the muted background, while fine line work forms a web‑like network that partially conceals imagery, reinforcing a sense of entanglement and visual tension.
History & Provenance
The lithograph was produced as part of Weege’s 1967 portfolio, a limited series that combined offset lithography with a single screenprint. After its creation, the work entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on view as an example of the artist’s print practice.
Context
Emerging amid the social upheavals of the late 1960s, the image reflects contemporary concerns about war, environmental exploitation, and the commodification of health. The inclusion of medical terms alongside a protest slogan situates the work within the broader visual language of anti‑establishment art of the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Frederick Weege III (1935–2020) was an American artist, born in Milwaukee.
