Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Vicente Rojo. It dates from 1972 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1972, this untitled lithograph by Mexican-born artist Vicente Rojo forms part of a larger portfolio that includes ten intaglio plates, seven screenprints, three lithographs, and a single aquatint. The work is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, where it is displayed among other mid‑century abstract prints.
Subject & Meaning
The image consists of a stark, arch‑like form rendered in flat planes of color, purple framing the upper and side edges, a central blue band, and three aligned black circles that suggest a handle or hinge. The minimal composition invites viewers to contemplate the tension between architectural suggestion and pure abstraction, prompting questions about perception and the boundaries of representation.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the print relies on the stone‑or‑metal surface’s ability to hold separate ink layers without blending, allowing the vivid purple, blue, and black areas to sit side by side with crisp edges. Rojo’s use of clean, unmodulated fields and precise geometric lines reflects his broader interest in color theory and the reduction of form to essential visual elements.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the lithograph entered the portfolio that Rojo assembled in the early 1970s, a series showcasing his exploration of various print media. The Museum of Modern Art acquired the piece for its collection of post‑war American and international prints, where it remains a reference point for studies of Rojo’s graphic practice and the development of color lithography in the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Vicente Rojo Lluch was Chief of the General Staff of the Spanish Armed Forces during the Spanish Civil War. He is considered to have been one of the best commanders of the civil war.
