Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Edward Ruscha in 2020.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.

Untitled by Edward Ruscha (2020) — Meaning & Museum

About this work

The artist used a special printing trick to make the letters pop—some parts feel raised, almost like braille.

This image shows two tall, black letters spelling "L.A." on a bright red background. The letters look like buildings, with rough, uneven edges and some texture. The red fills most of the space, but the letters stand out sharply.

The artist used a special printing trick to make the letters pop—some parts feel raised, almost like braille. This isn’t a painting but a print, made in 2020.

If you like this bold style, look up lithography to see how it works.

Overview

Edward Ruscha’s 2020 work titled Untitled is a lithographic print enhanced with embossing, produced in his studio in Culver City, California. The piece is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection and exemplifies Ruscha’s engagement with print media alongside his broader practice in painting, photography, and film.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents the letters “L.A.” rendered in stark black against a vivid red field. The typographic forms, reminiscent of city skylines, are rendered with irregular, textured edges that suggest architectural solidity while also invoking the visual language of signage.

Technique & Style

Ruscha employed a lithographic process combined with selective embossing, giving the lettering a tactile, raised quality that contrasts with the flat red background. The embossing creates a subtle three‑dimensional effect, akin to raised print, and emphasizes the graphic boldness characteristic of his pop‑influenced aesthetic.

History & Provenance

Created in 2020, the work was added to the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings shortly after its completion. It reflects Ruscha’s continued exploration of printmaking techniques during the later phase of his career, building on his earlier experiments with artist’s books and photographic series.

Context

Ruscha, a central figure associated with the pop art movement, often incorporates text and urban motifs into his oeuvre. Untitled aligns with his long‑standing interest in Los Angeles as a visual and cultural reference point, using simple typographic symbols to comment on the city’s visual identity.