Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Richard Artschwager. It dates from 1972 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1972, this black‑and‑white screenprint presents four tightly framed portraits of men wearing navy uniforms.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1972, this black‑and‑white screenprint presents four tightly framed portraits of men wearing navy uniforms. Each figure is shown from the shoulders up, with white caps and dark brims, set against an unadorned background. The images convey a momentary, almost documentary quality, emphasizing the stark contrast between the uniformed faces and the plain field of print.
Subject & Meaning
The work isolates the faces of uniformed men, capturing a range of serious expressions, some direct, others turned slightly away. By focusing on these anonymous figures, the piece invites contemplation of identity, authority, and the collective presence of uniformed bodies, while the unfinished, sketch‑like rendering suggests a fleeting observation rather than a formal portrait.
Technique & Style
Executed as a screenprint, the image relies on a limited palette of black and white, allowing the grainy, rough lines to dominate the surface. The texture creates a sense of immediacy, while the crisp delineation of the caps and brims reflects Artschwager’s interest in juxtaposing precise geometric elements with more gestural, everyday imagery.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to a period when Artschwager was actively moving between painting, sculpture, and printmaking, engaging with Pop Art, Conceptual art, and Minimalism. Produced shortly after his transition from furniture design to fine art, it exemplifies the artist’s developing visual language that merges industrial forms with ordinary subjects.
Artist & collection
Artist
Richard Ernst Artschwager (December 26, 1923 – February 9, 2013) was an American painter, illustrator and sculptor. His work has associations with Pop Art, Conceptual art and Minimalism.
