Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Mark Grotjahn in 2013.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Museum of Modern Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Contemporary Abstract.

Artwork

Untitled

Mark Grotjahn , 2013

Untitled is an oil painting by the Contemporary Abstract artist Mark Grotjahn. It dates from 2013 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 2013, this untitled work by Mark Grotjahn consists of oil applied to cardboard that has subsequently been adhered to linen. The composition is wholly abstract, dominated by vivid hues that intersect and overlap in a dynamic, seemingly spontaneous arrangement. The painting resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed among other post‑contemporary works.

Subject & Meaning

While the piece lacks a representational subject, the interlacing strokes suggest fleeting, ambiguous forms that hint at facial or floral motifs without resolving into recognizable images. This ambiguity invites viewers to project personal associations onto the swirling masses, emphasizing the painting’s capacity to generate multiple, shifting interpretations.

Technique & Style

Grotjahn employed a heavy impasto application, building up thick layers of oil that create a tactile surface. The paint is applied in vigorous, curving gestures that generate a sense of motion, while the rough texture of the cardboard beneath the linen adds an additional visual depth. The palette, bright yellows, reds, greens, and blues, enhances the energetic quality of the work.

History & Provenance

The work was completed in 2013 and entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through acquisition shortly after its creation. Its provenance is straightforward, with no recorded prior ownership before the museum’s purchase, reflecting the institution’s interest in documenting Grotjahn’s evolving abstract practice.

Context

The painting belongs to a period in which Grotjahn explored large‑scale, gestural abstractions that emphasize color interaction and surface texture. It aligns with broader trends in early‑21st‑century painting that revisit the physicality of the medium, echoing the legacy of abstract expressionism while incorporating contemporary concerns about materiality and perception.