Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil painting by the Abstract Expressionist artist Julije Knifer. It dates from 1960 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Julije Knifer's 1960 painting 'Untitled' is an oil on canvas work characterized by simple, geometric forms. It is a representative example of the artist's oeuvre and is held in The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features a light-colored background with two prominent black rectangles, one tall and narrow, the other shorter and wider. The artist's use of these shapes creates a sense of division within the composition, exemplifying Knifer's exploration of the meander motif.
Technique & Style
Knifer employed a restrained palette and clean lines to achieve a sense of simplicity and clarity. The work is associated with the abstract expressionist movement, although its geometric forms and lack of gestural brushwork distinguish it from more expressive tendencies within the style.
History & Provenance
Created in 1960, 'Untitled' is a product of Knifer's early experimentation with the meander motif, which became a defining element of his practice across various mediums.
Artist & collection
Artist
Julije Knifer (23 April 1924 – 7 December 2004) was a Croatian abstract painter and a founding member of the 1960s Croatian art collective known as the Gorgona Group.
