Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Lovis Corinth. It dates from 1911 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Its rough, rapid linework conveys a sense of haste and gravity, characteristic of Corinth’s expressive approach to printmaking.
Created in 1911, this lithograph by Lovis Corinth is part of The Museum of Modern Art’s collection. It depicts a somber procession of figures transporting a motionless form on a stretcher beneath a star-strewn night sky. The work is rendered in monochrome with minimal detail, emphasizing mood over narrative clarity.
Its rough, rapid linework conveys a sense of haste and gravity, characteristic of Corinth’s expressive approach to printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
Three figures carry a fourth, lifeless body on a stretcher through a darkened landscape. The pallor of the carried figure and the uniformity of the bearers’ attire suggest a ritual or communal act, possibly referencing death or mourning. The absence of identifiable context or setting invites interpretation as a universal symbol of loss, rather than a specific event. The lone yellow tag on the stretcher introduces a jarring note of identification amid anonymity.
Technique & Style
Corinth employed lithography to achieve a spontaneous, sketch-like quality. The image is built with swift, uneven lines that suggest motion and emotional tension rather than precise form. The contrast between the dark, indistinct figures and the stark yellow tag highlights a single detail amid ambiguity.
The sky, rendered with sparse white dots, evokes stars without detail, reinforcing the work’s atmospheric, almost dreamlike tone.
History & Provenance
The work was produced in 1911 during a period when Corinth was actively exploring printmaking alongside his painting. It entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection in the 20th century, likely through acquisition or donation. While its early ownership history is not widely documented, its inclusion in MoMA’s holdings reflects its recognition as a significant example of early 20th-century German printmaking.
Context
Created during a time of intense artistic experimentation in Germany, this print aligns with Expressionist tendencies toward emotional intensity and simplified form. Corinth, though trained in academic traditions, increasingly embraced raw, gestural techniques. The work’s lack of narrative specificity reflects broader cultural preoccupations with mortality and the ineffable, common in pre-war European art.
Legacy
This lithograph remains a quiet but potent example of Corinth’s ability to convey psychological weight through minimal means. It influenced later artists interested in the expressive potential of printmaking, particularly those exploring themes of death and anonymity. Its presence in MoMA’s collection ensures continued study within the broader discourse of modern graphic art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lovis Corinth (21 July 1858 – 17 July 1925) was a German artist and writer whose mature work as a painter and printmaker realized a synthesis of impressionism and expressionism.
