Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil painting by the Mexican Muralist artist Rufino Tamayo. It dates from 1947 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a 1947 oil on canvas painting by Rufino Tamayo, currently part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection. The work depicts a surreal, mythological scene characterized by bold, flat colors and textured brushwork.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features two prominent figures: one enveloped in a blue, cape-like form with a red facial marker, and another with a black, mask-like head adorned with a red hat. A large blue bird with striped wings dominates the upper portion, while a twisted, red-orange tree grows below, set against a uniform green background.
Technique & Style
Tamayo employed thick, impasto paint application to create textured, nearly three-dimensional effects, notably on the bird's feathers and tree bark. Despite this tactile quality, the overall composition remains simplified, emphasizing flat, vibrant colors.
History & Provenance
Created in 1947, the painting is now held in the permanent collection of The Museum of Modern Art.
Context
Untitled reflects Tamayo's exploration of mythological themes through a modern, stylized lens, characteristic of his mid-20th-century work.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of this piece are not highlighted, its presence in MoMA's collection suggests its recognition within Tamayo's oeuvre and mid-century Latin American art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rufino del Carmen Arellanes Tamayo was a Mexican painter of Zapotec heritage, born in Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico. Tamayo was active in the mid-20th century in Mexico and New York, painting figurative abstraction with surrealist influences.
