Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Lynn Hershman Leeson. It dates from 1974 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
The top shows "Breitmore Account" at 3007 Jackson Street in San Francisco, with a handwritten signature in cursive that says "Roberta Breitmore.
This is a blank check from the Bank of America. The top shows "Breitmore Account" at 3007 Jackson Street in San Francisco, with a handwritten signature in cursive that says "Roberta Breitmore." The bottom has the bank’s Berkeley address and a series of numbers for routing and account details. The paper looks official, with a grid of tiny numbers printed at the bottom.
The signature is the only personal touch, it’s neat but slightly uneven, like someone practicing. This check was made in 1974, and the artist used real banking forms to create it.
Look up lithography to see how artists print images this way.
Overview
Untitled (1974) is a print artwork by Lynn Hershman Leeson, combining offset lithography, letterpress, and black marker on paper. Measuring 2 3/4 × 6 inches, it appears as a authentic bank check.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork masquerades as a blank check from Bank of America, issued to 'Roberta Breitmore' at a specified San Francisco address. The sole personal element is Breitmore's cursive, neatly yet imperfectly signed, blurring the line between the authentic and the fabricated.
Technique & Style
Leveraging offset lithography for mass-producible imagery and letterpress for embossed text, the artist replicates the official appearance of a bank check. A black marker's use is subtle, with the overall aesthetic mimicking bureaucratic forms.
History & Provenance
Created in 1974, the piece utilizes actual banking forms. It is part of The Modern Women’s Fund collection, cataloged as 879.2011.1, with copyright held by Lynn Hershman Leeson.
Context
Emerging from the 1970s, this work aligns with conceptual and identity-themed art practices. 'Roberta Breitmore' was one of Hershman Leeson's alter egos, exploring identity construction and societal roles.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lynn Hershman Leeson (née Lynn Lester Hershman; born June 17, 1941) is an American multimedia artist and filmmaker.
