Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Jim Dine in 1982.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.

Untitled by Jim Dine (1982) · Meaning & Museum

About this work

Overview

1935) presents a stark, monochrome composition of two large, irregular floral forms set against a deep, almost black background.

Created in 1982, this untitled woodcut by American artist Jim Dine (b. 1935) presents a stark, monochrome composition of two large, irregular floral forms set against a deep, almost black background. The image balances a bulky, leaf‑laden shape on one side with a twisted, vine‑like figure that contains a central, mask‑like motif, generating a tension between organic growth and abstracted presence.

Subject & Meaning

The work juxtaposes two contrasting botanical elements: a robust, rounded plant with thick foliage and a sinuous, contorted vine whose central mass suggests a rudimentary face. The stark contrast and hand‑carved irregularities evoke a sense of raw vitality, while the ambiguous facial suggestion hints at a playful anthropomorphism, a recurring interest in Dine’s broader oeuvre.

Technique & Style

Executed as a woodcut, Dine incised the design directly into a wooden block, producing the jagged, uneven lines and a grainy surface texture characteristic of the medium. Areas where the wood has been scraped away appear almost void, enhancing the stark tonal contrast. The hand‑carved marks emphasize the tactile, physical process behind the image, aligning the piece with Dine’s interest in materiality across media.

History & Provenance

The print entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is catalogued as part of the institution’s holdings of contemporary American printmaking. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s ongoing commitment to documenting the diverse practices of artists like Dine, who works across painting, drawing, sculpture, and print.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Jim Dine

Jim Dine (born June 16, 1935) is an American visual artist. Dine's work includes painting, drawing, printmaking (in many forms including lithographs, etchings, gravure, intaglio, woodcuts, letterpress, and linocuts),…