Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil painting by the Abstract Expressionist artist Robert Motherwell. It dates from 1959 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1959, Untitled is an oil on canvas painting by Robert Motherwell, a prominent figure in the American abstract expressionist movement and a key member of the New York School.
Subject & Meaning
The painting's non-representational composition features three large, irregular black forms set against a white background, evoking a sense of abstracted, open shapes with expressive, rough-hewn edges.
Technique & Style
Characterized by thick, uneven paint application, the work exhibits impasto techniques, with visible streaks, drips, and textured brushstrokes in the black areas. A dark brown border frames the top and sides, adding depth through contrast.
History & Provenance
Untitled is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, reflecting its significance within the abstract expressionist canon. Motherwell's broader contributions include editing The Dada Painters and Poets: an Anthology, highlighting his role in promoting avant-garde art movements.
Context
Emerging from the New York School's vibrant post-war art scene, Untitled embodies the abstract expressionist emphasis on process and emotional expression through non-figurative forms.
Artist & collection
Artist
Robert Motherwell (January 24, 1915 – July 16, 1991) was an American abstract expressionist painter, printmaker, and editor of The Dada Painters and Poets: an Anthology.
