Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an acrylic painting by the Contemporary Realist artist Susan Rothenberg. It dates from 1976 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1976, this untitled canvas combines acrylic paint, gesso, charcoal, and pencil. The work is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings and exemplifies Rothenberg’s engagement with contemporary realism, a movement that bridges figurative representation and abstract expression.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a nude human form, rendered with a loose, gestural quality that blurs the line between recognizable figure and abstract shape. The ambiguous outlines suggest movement and vulnerability, inviting viewers to contemplate the tension between presence and suggestion.
Technique & Style
Rothenberg applies a thin gesso ground before layering swift charcoal and pencil marks that vary in thickness, creating a sketch‑like network of lines. Broad swaths of acrylic paint soften the drawing, producing a surface that feels both unfinished and deliberately expansive, as if a large‑scale study were stretched to canvas size.
History & Provenance
American painter and printmaker Susan Rothenberg, known for her recurring horse imagery, produced this figure work early in her career. After its creation, the painting entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection, where it remains accessible for study and public view.
Artist & collection
Artist
Susan Charna Rothenberg (January 20, 1945 – May 18, 2020) was an American contemporary painter, printmaker, sculptor, and draughtswoman.
