Untitled
1949
oil
From the collection of Museum of Modern Art
1949
oil
From the collection of Museum of Modern Art
Dominant colour
Untitled is a 1949 oil by Reuben Tam, a abstract expressionism work, held at Museum of Modern Art.
This painting looks messy on purpose—thick, rough brushstrokes pile up in blues, whites, and grays. The top half is mostly pale, with a few faint lines suggesting sky or water. Down below, darker shapes and a tiny splash of red and blue stand out against the chaos. The paint itself looks almost sculpted, like it was slapped on in layers. The loose, uneven strokes make it feel raw, like the artist was more interested in texture than smooth shapes. No clear subject jumps out—just a swirl of colors and forms. If you like this rough, textured style, check out impasto.
