Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Saul Steinberg. It dates from 1967 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
The work stands as a significant example of his graphic innovation, utilizing the lithographic medium to achieve both fine detail and atmospheric depth.
Created in 1967, this untitled lithograph by Saul Steinberg is part of a portfolio of nine prints, distinguished by the inclusion of embossing in one of the sheets. The work exemplifies Steinberg's signature surrealist wit, blending dream logic with satirical observation. The composition is horizontally divided into distinct narrative zones against a dark, textured sky that hints at an urban horizon.
On the left, a horse and a dog gallop toward two enigmatic pyramids topped with eyes, flanked by a winged statue. To the right, a lion wearing a top hat sits atop a box overflowing with gears and coins, merging symbols of royalty, industry, and commerce. Steinberg employs his characteristic line work to create a scene that feels simultaneously whimsical and unsettling.
This piece reflects the artist's mature period, where he frequently deconstructed the boundaries between reality and imagination, using familiar iconography to explore themes of identity, authority, and the absurdity of modern life. The work stands as a significant example of his graphic innovation, utilizing the lithographic medium to achieve both fine detail and atmospheric depth.
Subject & Meaning
The composition juxtaposes a galloping horse and dog with two peculiar pyramids crowned by eyes, while a winged figure watches nearby. On the opposite side, a lion in a top hat perches atop a box brimming with gears and coins, all set against a turbulent, dim sky that hints at an urban silhouette. The scene functions as a visual riddle, blending absurdity with symbolic suggestion.
Technique & Style
Created through traditional lithography, Steinberg employed hand‑drawn lines transferred onto a stone or metal plate, producing a crisp yet fluid line quality. The print’s surface retains the tactile quality of the artist’s touch, and the inclusion of embossing in the series adds a subtle three‑dimensional element, emphasizing the work’s playful, puzzle‑like character.
History & Provenance
The lithograph was produced in 1967 as part of Steinberg’s broader exploration of printmaking. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains on view as part of the institution’s representation of mid‑century American graphic art.
Context
Steinberg, known for his contributions to The New Yorker and his inventive visual humor, often merged illustration with fine art. This untitled piece reflects his interest in combining narrative ambiguity with formal experimentation, situating it within the 1960s milieu of print artists who challenged conventional boundaries between commercial illustration and high art.
Artist & collection
