Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil painting by the Contemporary Abstract artist Anselm Kiefer. It dates from 1972 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1972, this untitled work by Anselm Kiefer is executed in charcoal and oil on a burlap support. The piece is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed among the museum’s post‑war European holdings.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents an interior space defined by a wooden floor and walls. Two multi‑pane windows occupy the rear wall, while a centrally placed door suggests an entry point. The sparse, almost architectural setting conveys a quiet, rustic atmosphere, inviting contemplation of space and materiality.
Technique & Style
Kiefer applies charcoal and oil directly onto burlap, allowing the coarse texture of the fabric to interact with the pigments. This combination accentuates the grain of the depicted wooden planks, while the restrained, muted palette reinforces the work’s subdued tone and emphasizes surface depth.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the painting has remained within institutional collections, ultimately entering the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s interest in documenting the evolution of Kiefer’s early practice and his exploration of material in the early 1970s.
Artist & collection
Artist
Anselm Kiefer is a German painter and sculptor. He studied with Peter Dreher and Horst Antes at the end of the 1960s. His works incorporate materials such as straw, ash, clay, lead, and shellac. The poems of Paul Celan…
