Accession Number
1974/1.260

Title
Untitled

Artist(s)
Robert Motherwell

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
1973

Medium & Support
aquatint on paper

Dimensions
41 3/8 in x 24 in (105.1 cm x 61 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Label copy
Robert Motherwell
United States, 1915–1991
Untitled
1973
Aquatint
Museum purchase, 1974/1.260
(Flip Your Field: Abstract Art from the Collection, June 9 – September 2, 2012, text by Celeste Brusati)

Subject matter
Similar to many of Motherwell's Open series, this piece features sparse and simple lines on a monotone background. The lines nearly form a three sided rectangle like the open windows of his series. With rounded, bulging tops and thinner mid-sections and ends, the three vertical lines draw the viewer's eye down to the horizontal line invoking thoughts of an ending or finish line. Mortality was a common theme throughout Motherwell's work and can be traced back to his sickly childhood.

Motherwell opened his own print shop in Greenwich during the winter of 1972-1973, the latter year being the creation date for this piece. He hired a printer, Catherine Mosley, but he also did his some of his own printing and publishing.

Physical Description
This print shows three vertical black lines oriented above one horizontal black line. The background is a deep red with shading primarily along the left and right edge of the paper.

Primary Object Classification
Print

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
Abstract (fine arts style)
American (North American)
abstraction
geometric abstraction
modern and contemporary art