Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil painting by the Cubism Analytic artist Auguste Herbin. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, an oil on canvas painting from 1912, is an early work by French artist Auguste Herbin, exemplifying the principles of analytic Cubism through its geometric abstraction in a still life composition.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a still life with a bowl of fruit, teapot, vase with flowers, and a cup, arranged on a low table. The subject, however, is secondary to the exploration of Cubist techniques, emphasizing structural fragmentation over representational clarity.
Technique & Style
Herbin employed sharp angles, bold colors, and flat, geometric forms to break down the still life into puzzle-like pieces. The work features a distinctive, innovative approach to color mixing directly on the canvas, akin to collage, and a flattened representation of space.
History & Provenance
Created in 1912, this piece predates Herbin's later involvement in co-founding groups dedicated to non-figurative art. It is currently part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Auguste Herbin (29 April 1882 – 31 January 1960) was a French painter of modern art.
