Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a tempera painting by the Art Brut artist Roland Dorcély. It dates from 1958 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1958 by Haitian artist Roland Dorcély, this tempera on board painting presents a stark composition of a vivid red chair with a green cushion set against a dark wall, accompanied by a simplified blue figure with raised arms. The work exemplifies the flat, unmodulated color fields characteristic of the artist’s approach, emphasizing shape over illusionistic depth.
Subject & Meaning
The juxtaposition of the solid chair and the abstracted human form suggests a dialogue between object and presence. The figure’s uplifted arms convey a sense of reaching or stretching, while the chair’s bold geometry anchors the scene, inviting viewers to contemplate the tension between static structure and dynamic gesture within a minimal visual language.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera, the painting employs opaque pigments that yield crisp, flat areas of color without gradation. Dorcély’s handling emphasizes clear outlines and block-like forms, aligning with the art brut aesthetic that favors raw, unrefined expression over academic polish. The absence of shading reinforces the work’s graphic, almost cartoonish quality.
History & Provenance
Roland Dorcély, born in Port‑au‑Prince in 1930, produced this piece during a period of active international exhibition. The painting entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, while other works by the artist are held by France’s Centre national des arts plastiques. Dorcély continued to exhibit abroad until his death in 2017.
Artist & collection
Artist
Roland Dorcely (18 November 1930 – 2017) was a Haitian painter. Born in Port-au-Prince, Dorcely exhibited his works in the United States, France, Canada, and Colombia. His works are displayed in Paris' Centre national…
