Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil drawing by William Wood. It dates from 1997 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1997, this untitled work by William Wood is executed in oil and wax on prepared paper and is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Though classified as a drawing, the piece functions as a painted surface, occupying the entire sheet with a dense, tactile field.
Subject & Meaning
The composition offers no recognizable figures or narrative; instead, it consists of interlaced gray and white strokes that evoke tangled cords or rolling waves. The absence of explicit imagery invites viewers to consider the materiality of paint itself as the primary subject.
Technique & Style
Wood applied oil combined with wax in thick, impasto layers, building up a bumpy, three‑dimensional surface. The ridges and depressions created by the heavy application give the paper a sculptural quality, emphasizing texture over color.
History & Provenance
Since its completion in 1997, the work has remained in the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings. No record of prior ownership or exhibition history beyond the museum’s acquisition is publicly documented.
Context
The piece aligns with late‑20th‑century explorations of surface and material, echoing the concerns of artists who foregrounded the physical properties of paint. Its use of oil‑and‑wax impasto reflects a broader interest in blurring the line between drawing and painting.
Artist & collection
