Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Claes Oldenburg, ink, 1964
Untitled, by Claes Oldenburg, ink, 1964

Untitled is an ink print by Claes Oldenburg. It dates from 1964 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

This untitled 1964 lithograph by Claes Oldenburg, a sculptor renowned for transforming everyday objects into large-scale and soft sculptures, presents a simple yet elegant composition of a broken, possibly ceramic, object.

Subject & Meaning

The lithograph depicts a broken plate or bowl in three pieces, centrally composed with two smaller fragments flanking a larger central piece, evoking themes of fragility and the mundane.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, the work features a dark brown object with lighter shading, set against a light beige background, showcasing Oldenburg's ability to convey depth and simplicity through minimal color palette.

History & Provenance

Created in 1964, before Oldenburg's collaborative partnership with Coosje van Bruggen, this lithograph is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.

Context

While primarily known for sculptural works often produced in New York City, this lithograph demonstrates Oldenburg's exploration of two-dimensional media in his early career.

Untitled
Untitled, Marsden Hartley

Artist & collection

Portrait of Claes Oldenburg

Artist

Claes Oldenburg

Claes Oldenburg (January 28, 1929 – July 18, 2022) was a Swedish-born American sculptor best known for his public art installations, typically featuring large replicas of everyday objects.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Claes Oldenburg in 1964.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.