Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Paolo Carosone. It dates from 1965 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1965, this print by Paolo Carosone combines etching, aquatint, and metallic relief to produce a layered, textural composition. It is part of the permanent collection at The Museum of Modern Art. The work’s muted palette of beige, brown, and white suggests a subdued, atmospheric tone, while its mixed-media approach reflects experimental tendencies in mid-century printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
A horse and rider appear in the lower right, rendered with minimal detail amid abstract forms. The central circular motif, possibly symbolic or structural, anchors the composition without clear narrative context. The fragmented, overlapping shapes invite interpretation as memory fragments or spatial illusions, avoiding literal storytelling in favor of evocative ambiguity.
Technique & Style
Carosone employed etching for fine lines and aquatint for tonal gradations, enhancing depth through layered ink densities. Metallic relief adds subtle raised surfaces, catching light differently than flat ink. The result is a tactile surface where texture rivals imagery, emphasizing materiality over representation and aligning with postwar explorations of print as object.
History & Provenance
The work entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, reflecting institutional interest in experimental printmaking of the 1960s. No earlier exhibition or ownership history is widely documented, suggesting it was acquired directly from the artist or a gallery associated with his practice during this period.
Context
Produced during a time when European artists were redefining printmaking beyond reproduction, Carosone’s work engages with contemporaneous trends in abstract expressionism and material experimentation. His use of mixed techniques aligns with peers exploring the physical potential of the print medium, moving away from traditional illustrative roles.
Legacy
Though not widely reproduced or exhibited since its acquisition, the piece remains a quiet example of Carosone’s contribution to postwar print innovation. It stands as a testament to the era’s interest in process-driven abstraction and the expanded possibilities of the printed surface beyond conventional imagery.
Artist & collection
