Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Jasper Johns. It dates from 2013 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2013, *Untitled* is one of ten lithographs by Jasper Johns, a pivotal figure in postwar American art, known for his diverse practice spanning painting, sculpture, drawing, and printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a single large leaf in black and white, with prominent, thick veins contrasting against a textured, cracked background, evoking a sense of organic form set amidst deterioration.
Technique & Style
Johns employed lithography to achieve a textured, tactile quality, with the printing process emphasizing the cracked, worn appearance of the leaf and its background, characteristic of his exploration of medium and perception.
History & Provenance
*Untitled* is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, reflecting Johns' association with major movements like abstract expressionism, Neo-Dada, and pop art, though this work's style does not strongly align with these.
Context
As part of a series of ten identical lithographs, *Untitled* highlights Johns' interest in repetition and the nuances of printmaking, where each piece, despite being identical, may exhibit slight variations in texture due to the process.
Legacy
While *Untitled* (2013) does not revolutionize Johns' oeuvre, it contributes to his ongoing exploration of common images and the materiality of art, inviting viewers to contemplate the interplay of image, texture, and medium.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jasper Johns (born May 15, 1930) is an American painter, sculptor, draftsman, and printmaker.
