Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Ned Truss. It dates from 1973 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a 1973 engraving by Ned Truss, part of a diverse portfolio combining screenprinting, etching, lithography, linoleum cut, and intaglio techniques. The work is held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art. Its layered construction reflects an experimental approach to printmaking, with embossing used to introduce tactile dimensionality across multiple elements of the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts a face composed of fragmented, contrasting hues, green, red, and gray, suggesting an assemblage rather than a naturalistic rendering. A bold red floral crown rests atop the head, while a pearl necklace curves along the neck. The eyes are wide and alert, but the grin appears unnervingly static, introducing psychological tension beneath the decorative surface.
Technique & Style
Truss employed engraving as the primary medium but integrated embossing to elevate specific areas, creating a sculptural relief. The face’s patchwork texture arises from the interplay of smooth inked surfaces and raised, tactile zones. This hybrid approach merges traditional print methods, resulting in a visual and physical complexity that challenges the flatness typically associated with prints.
History & Provenance
Created in 1973, Untitled belongs to a larger suite of works that showcase Truss’s exploration of printmaking diversity. It entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its production, likely as part of a broader acquisition of experimental prints from the period. The work has remained in the museum’s holdings since, with no documented public exhibitions prior to the 1980s.
Context
In the early 1970s, many artists were expanding printmaking beyond reproductive roles, treating it as a site for conceptual and material innovation. Truss’s use of multiple techniques, including embossing and mixed media, aligns with this trend. His work reflects a broader interest in the body as a site of cultural symbolism, blending ornamentation with psychological ambiguity.
Legacy
While not widely reproduced, the work remains a significant example of 1970s experimental printmaking in institutional collections.
Untitled exemplifies Truss’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of print media through technical hybridity. While not widely reproduced, the work remains a significant example of 1970s experimental printmaking in institutional collections. Its layered surfaces and unsettling expression continue to inform discussions on the intersection of craft and psychological portraiture in postwar American art.
Artist & collection
