Artwork
Untitled (c. 1915)
Untitled (c. 1915) is an unspecified painting by the Cubism Synthetic artist Amadeo de Souza Cardoso. It dates from 1915 and is held in the collection of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. Created in 1915, this untitled canvas by Amadeo de Souza‑Cardoso exemplifies his early modernist phase.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1915, this untitled canvas by Amadeo de Souza‑Cardoso exemplifies his early modernist phase. Executed while the artist divided his time between Paris and his family home in Manhufe, the work now belongs to the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum’s collection. Its abstract composition centers on a fragmented human face rendered with vivid, contrasting hues.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents a stylised visage broken into geometric planes. Red, green and black shapes delineate the eyes, nose and mouth, while the surrounding field of warm earth tones frames the figure. The disassembled facial features invite viewers to consider perception as a construct of intersecting visual elements rather than a realistic portrait.
Technique & Style
Souza‑Cardoso draws directly from Synthetic Cubism, employing flat, interlocking shapes and a limited but striking palette. The bold coloration and textured brushwork create a sense of depth despite the overall flatness of the composition. The juxtaposition of smooth color fields with darker, gestural strokes enhances the dynamic tension typical of early 20th‑century avant‑garde experiments.
History & Provenance
The canvas was produced during a period of intense artistic exchange in Paris, where Souza‑Cardoso interacted with contemporaries exploring cubist and futurist ideas. After its creation, the work entered private collections before being acquired by the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, where it remains on display as part of the institution’s modern art holdings.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso (14 November 1887 – 25 October 1918) was a Portuguese painter.
