Untitled
1947
oil
From the collection of Museum of Modern Art
1947
oil
From the collection of Museum of Modern Art
Untitled is a 1947 oil by Jacques-Enguérrand Gourgue, held at Museum of Modern Art.
This painting shows a giant octopus-like creature sprawled across a bed, its tentacles tangled in the sheets. Around it, four small figures stand in odd poses—one holds a torch, another balances a tray, and the others look like they’re in a strange parade. The colors are bold: bright oranges, deep blues, and sharp blacks make everything feel dramatic. The octopus’s face has a wide, toothy grin, and its body mixes smooth shapes with rough, textured patches. The background looks like a stage with flat colors and simple shapes, almost like a play set. If this wild mix of shapes and colors intrigues you, look up impasto next.
