Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache painting by the Abstract Expressionist artist Rhod Rothfuss. It dates from 1955 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1955, this work by Carlos María “Rhod” Rothfuss combines alkyd and gouache on a board surface.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1955, this work by Carlos María “Rhod” Rothfuss combines alkyd and gouache on a board surface. The composition consists of a light‑beige field intersected by six irregularly shaped color blocks in green, red, black, yellow and a small accent of green. The edges of the forms are slightly uneven, suggesting a hand‑cut appearance rather than precise mechanical lines.
Subject & Meaning
The painting does not depict recognizable objects; instead it explores geometric abstraction through the juxtaposition of bold, flat color fields. The irregular placement and varying sizes of the shapes generate a subtle tension, inviting viewers to consider balance and spatial relationships without reference to narrative content.
Technique & Style
The application appears both smooth and lightly textured, with brushstrokes that give the colors a modest relief while maintaining overall flatness.
Rothfuss employed a mixture of alkyd, an oil‑based medium that dries quickly, and opaque gouache, which yields a matte, velvety surface. The application appears both smooth and lightly textured, with brushstrokes that give the colors a modest relief while maintaining overall flatness. The hand‑cut edges reinforce the concrete art emphasis on materiality and the physical presence of the painted surface.
History & Provenance
Rothfuss, a Uruguayan‑Argentine artist active in the 1940s and 1950s, was a founding member of the avant‑garde Grupo Madí, a collective that promoted abstract and concrete art in Latin America. This 1955 piece reflects his ongoing involvement with the movement and his shift toward a more personal abstract expressionist language.
Context
During the mid‑20th century, Latin American artists were redefining abstraction, moving beyond European models toward a distinctly regional visual language. Rothfuss’s work aligns with the concrete art principles advocated by the Grupo Madí, emphasizing geometric forms, non‑representational color, and the autonomy of the artwork as an object.
Artist & collection
Artist
Carlos María "Rhod" Rothfuss (1920 – December 31, 1969) was a Uruguayan-Argentine artist who specialized in painting and sculpture.
