Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a pastel drawing by Winston Roeth. It dates from 1996 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1996 by American artist Winston Roeth, this untitled work is a pastel drawing on prepared paper in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The composition consists of a solitary circle set against a pale field, delineated by three concentric lines of differing hue and weight.
Subject & Meaning
The piece presents a single, cleanly rendered circle whose interior is marked by a thin black line, a surrounding gray line, and an outermost bold red edge. The stark simplicity invites contemplation of form, boundary, and the subtle tension between precision and the slight irregularities of hand‑drawn marks.
Technique & Style
Roeth employed soft pastel, a medium that combines pigment with a chalky binder, allowing for delicate layering and subtle tonal shifts. By stacking black, gray, and red pastels, he creates a faint sense of depth, making the flat circle appear to project outward despite the work’s two‑dimensional surface.
History & Provenance
The drawing was completed in 1996 and subsequently entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s interest in post‑modern explorations of minimalism and the material possibilities of drawing media.
Artist & collection
