Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Ron Davis. It dates from 1980 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1980, this drypoint print by American artist Ronald Davis is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1980, this drypoint print by American artist Ronald Davis is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The composition consists of a central black oval intersected by a thin white band, set above a dark, irregular splatter. A stark white field forms the background, punctuated by a black rectangle in the upper left and a series of fine radiating lines extending from the oval.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents an abstract arrangement of geometric and gestural elements, inviting viewers to consider the interplay of positive and negative space. The contrast between the solid oval and surrounding lines suggests a focal point that both emerges from and recedes into the surrounding field, generating a visual tension that emphasizes balance and spatial ambiguity.
Technique & Style
Executed with drypoint, the print displays the characteristic fine, burr‑laden lines that result from incising the plate with a sharp needle. This method yields the delicate, radiating strokes and the crisp edges of the oval and rectangle, while the broader dark splatter is achieved through varied pressure, creating a textured surface that underscores Davis’s engagement with abstract formalism.
History & Provenance
Ronald Davis, known for his involvement in geometric abstraction and color‑field painting, produced this piece during a period of extensive experimentation across several abstract movements. The print entered MoMA’s holdings as part of the museum’s effort to document late‑20th‑century American printmaking, and it has been displayed in exhibitions that trace the evolution of abstract print media.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ronald Davis (June 29, 1937 – November 19, 2025) was an American painter whose work was associated with geometric abstraction, abstract illusionism, lyrical abstraction, hard-edge painting, shaped canvas painting, color…
