Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Charles Mattox. It dates from 1968 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Charles Mattox created this lithograph in 1968 as part of his exploration of abstract form and color. The work is held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, where it represents his engagement with printmaking during a period of broad experimentation in American art. Its composition balances geometric and organic elements without direct reference to the visible world.
Subject & Meaning
The central red form suggests architectural volume, perhaps a structure or container, but resists literal interpretation.
The central red form suggests architectural volume, perhaps a structure or container, but resists literal interpretation. Flanking curves in light orange and a surrounding pair of green ovals create a sense of containment or enclosure. The black vertical line beneath the red shape introduces a subtle axis, yet the work avoids narrative or symbolic clarity, favoring visual tension over defined meaning.
Technique & Style
Mattox employed lithography to layer flat, saturated colors with precise edges and soft gradients. The light beige background grounds the composition, while overlapping ovals in green establish spatial depth without perspective. Curved and angular shapes coexist, reflecting an interest in balancing structure with fluidity, characteristic of mid-century abstract printmaking.
History & Provenance
The work entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, indicating early institutional recognition. No public record details its exhibition history prior to acquisition, but its inclusion in the museum’s print department suggests it was selected for its formal innovation within the medium of lithography during the late 1960s.
Context
Created during a time when many artists moved away from figuration, Mattox’s piece aligns with broader trends in American abstraction. Lithography, once primarily reproductive, was increasingly used for original expression. His use of color and simplified form reflects influences from Color Field painting and Minimalism, while retaining a handcrafted quality.
Legacy
Though not widely exhibited since acquisition, the work remains part of MoMA’s documentation of postwar printmaking. It contributes to the understanding of lesser-known artists who expanded the possibilities of lithography beyond traditional boundaries, emphasizing personal abstraction over dominant movements of the era.
Artist & collection
