Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil painting by the Art Informel artist Hundertwasser. It dates from 1960 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled (1960) is an abstract painting by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, combining oil, egg tempera, and metal leaf on paper mounted on canvas. Characterized by its textured, expressive execution, the work reflects Hundertwasser's association with the art informel movement.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a whimsical, organic structure resembling a building, topped with a lopsided, multicolored umbrella. Irregular wooden slats, randomly placed windows and doors (some incorporating faces or shapes), and the absence of straight lines convey a sense of vitality and rejection of geometric rigidity.
Technique & Style
Hundertwasser employed thick, textured paint (impasto) to achieve a near three-dimensional effect, further embellished with shiny metal flakes. This tactile approach emphasizes the expressive, spontaneous qualities of art informel.
History & Provenance
Created in 1960, during Hundertwasser's involvement with the art informel movement, the painting's provenance details are not specified in available information.
Context
Within the broader context of Hundertwasser's oeuvre, Untitled reflects his broader philosophical stance against rigid structures, foreshadowing his later emphasis on environmental harmony in art and architecture.
Legacy
As part of Hundertwasser's art informel output, Untitled contributes to the movement's emphasis on expressive abstraction, influencing subsequent generations of artists exploring texture and spontaneity.
Artist & collection
Artist
Friedrich Stowasser (15 December 1928 – 19 February 2000), better known by his pseudonym Friedensreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser (Austrian German: ), was an Austrian visual artist, architect and activist.
