Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Félix Vallotton. It dates from 1915 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1915, this untitled woodcut belongs to a series of six prints by the Swiss-French artist Félix Vallotton. Executed in black and white, the image depicts a nocturnal landscape dominated by a storm, with stark lightning arcing across a cloud‑filled sky. The work is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a turbulent night scene: jagged bolts of lightning split the heavens, heavy clouds press down, and a wavering line below suggests water or uneven terrain. Small, ambiguous forms hint at trees or shrubs, contributing to an atmosphere of natural unrest and the fleeting drama of a storm.
Technique & Style
Vallotton employed the woodcut process, carving bold, precise lines into a wooden block to achieve high contrast between inked black areas and the paper’s white. The sharp edges and strong chiaroscuro emphasize the lightning’s brilliance against the dark sky, while the simplified forms reflect the artist’s interest in graphic clarity and dramatic composition.
History & Provenance
The print was produced during the later phase of Vallotton’s career, a period marked by experimentation with printmaking. After its creation, the work entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on view as part of the institution’s holdings of early twentieth‑century graphic art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Félix Édouard Vallotton (French: ; December 28, 1865 – December 29, 1925) was a Swiss and French painter and printmaker associated with the group of artists known as Les Nabis.
