Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil drawing by Max Weber. It dates from 1911 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1911, this untitled work by Max Weber is executed in oil on board and is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Though classified as a drawing, the piece functions as a small-scale painting, measuring roughly a foot across, and exemplifies Weber’s early engagement with modernist abstraction.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents two cloaked figures seated side by side, their faces concealed, one by hands, the other by a hood, suggesting anonymity or introspection. A vivid red form, resembling either a tree trunk or a fissure, pierces the dark background between them, introducing a tension between presence and void that invites speculative interpretation.
Technique & Style
Weber applied the paint with a pronounced impasto method, building up thick, uneven strokes that stand out from the board’s surface. The heavy brushwork creates a tactile texture, while the limited palette of deep blues, stark blacks, and a single striking red emphasizes contrast and reinforces the work’s expressive, almost sculptural quality.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the piece entered the private market before being acquired by the Museum of Modern Art, where it has remained on display as part of the institution’s early 20th‑century modernist holdings. Its presence in MoMA underscores Weber’s role in the development of American avant‑garde painting during the pre‑World War I period.
Artist & collection
