Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Jasper Johns. It dates from 2017 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 2017, this linoleum cut on leather paper is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2017, this linoleum cut on leather paper is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. The work presents an assemblage of stark geometric forms and textured areas, combining black spirals, orange circles with radiating lines, a small black box containing simple stick figures, and a rough, mountainous shape set against a beige field.
Subject & Meaning
The composition juxtaposes abstract symbols—a swirling spiral, rectangular blocks, and sunburst circles—with rudimentary human-like figures, inviting viewers to consider the tension between formal abstraction and primitive representation. The contrast of bold colors and muted tones suggests a dialogue between visual order and spontaneous gesture.
Technique & Style
Executed through a linoleum cut process, the artist carved the design into a linoleum block, applied ink, and pressed it onto leather‑finished paper. This method yields crisp, defined edges and a layered surface quality, emphasizing the graphic clarity of the shapes while preserving a tactile, uneven texture.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced by Jasper Johns, a pivotal American artist whose career spans abstract expressionism, Neo‑Dada, and pop art. Born in 1930, Johns has worked in painting, sculpture, drawing, and printmaking. The work entered MoMA’s collection shortly after its creation, reflecting the institution’s ongoing commitment to his print oeuvre.
Context
Johns’s printmaking practice often revisits familiar motifs—numbers, flags, and simple symbols—recontextualized through traditional techniques. This 2017 linoleum cut aligns with his later investigations into the materiality of print, where the physical process becomes integral to the visual language.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jasper Johns (born May 15, 1930) is an American painter, sculptor, draftsman, and printmaker.
