Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil painting by the Abstract Expressionist artist Lidy Prati. It dates from 1951 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1951, this oil on canvas measures as a tall, narrow rectangle dominated by a flat yellow‑orange field.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1951, this oil on canvas measures as a tall, narrow rectangle dominated by a flat yellow‑orange field. A solitary white line sweeps across the surface, beginning near the upper left corner, dipping low, and rising toward the lower right, its width varying subtly. The composition is entirely non‑representational, relying on color and line to generate visual tension.
Subject & Meaning
The work embodies the principles of concrete art, where the visual elements themselves are the subject. The curving white stroke functions as a formal gesture rather than a depiction, inviting viewers to consider balance, rhythm, and the relationship between positive and negative space without reference to recognizable objects.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the paint is applied in a smooth, even layer that eliminates visible brushwork, producing crisp edges and a uniform surface. The single line appears painted yet retains the immediacy of a drawn mark, its varying thickness achieved through subtle modulation of pigment thickness rather than texture.
History & Provenance
The painting was produced by Argentine artist Lidy Prati, a key figure in the Asociación Arte Concreto‑Invención, a collective founded in the 1940s to promote geometric abstraction in Latin America. After its creation, the piece entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of mid‑century abstract art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lidia "Lidy" Elena Prati (1921–2008) was an Argentine painter who was known for her abstract, geometric paintings.
