Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Glenn Ligon. It dates from 1993 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1993, this untitled work is one of a ten‑piece lithograph series by American conceptual artist Glenn Ligon (b. 1960). The image presents a stark, monochrome figure of a man in motion, rendered with loose, sketch‑like lines that emphasize gesture over detail. The piece belongs to the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure—a man carrying a bag and clutching a branch—conveys a sense of hurried travel and personal narrative. Accompanying text supplies precise biographical details, juxtaposing the anonymous silhouette with an intimate portrait that hints at themes of identity, privacy, and the construction of self.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the work utilizes the traditional stone‑or‑metal printing process, allowing for the bold contrast of black ink on white paper. Ligon’s handling of line is deliberately rough, creating a visual tension between the immediacy of a sketch and the reproducibility of printmaking.
History & Provenance
The lithograph entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, reflecting the institution’s early interest in Ligon’s practice. It remains catalogued as part of the museum’s holdings of contemporary print media, representing a pivotal moment in the artist’s early career.
Context
Ligon’s oeuvre frequently interrogates race, language, and cultural identity, drawing on literary sources and historic speeches. Though this particular image lacks explicit textual references, its focus on a solitary figure aligns with his broader investigation of personal and collective narratives within the framework of post‑Black artistic discourse.
Artist & collection
Artist
Glenn Ligon (born 1960, pronounced Lie-gōne) is an American conceptual artist whose work explores race, language, desire, sexuality, and identity.
