Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a drawing by Ynez Johnston. It dates from 1950 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1950, this untitled casein drawing on cardboard belongs to the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The composition is dominated by vivid hues and a dense arrangement of forms that suggest an imagined urban landscape populated by stylized figures and animals. The overall effect is one of energetic movement within a seemingly chaotic yet deliberately structured space.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a fanciful cityscape where red, yellow and white structures line a jagged street, while human and animal silhouettes wander or stand amid the scene. The background, a deep green speckled with fine lines and dots, provides contrast and depth. The surreal, story‑like quality invites viewers to interpret the tableau as a dreamlike narrative rather than a literal depiction.
Technique & Style
Johnston employed casein pigment, applied in thick, flat areas of color outlined with bold lines, creating a graphic clarity typical of mid‑century modernist drawing. The medium’s opacity allows for saturated tones that stand out against the cardboard support, while the dense patterning of shapes balances visual complexity with a sense of order.
History & Provenance
The drawing was produced in the early post‑war period, a time when Johnston was exploring abstracted figurative motifs. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection through acquisition in the latter half of the 20th century, where it has remained part of the institution’s holdings, representing her contribution to American modernist drawing.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ynez Johnston was an American painter, sculptor, printmaker, and educator. Known for her work in painting, printmaking, and mixed media, Johnston was particularly inspired by Byzantine art, as well as Tibetan, Indian,…
