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Ray Johnson — Untitled (Moticos Panel with Harlo)
Ray Johnson

Untitled (Moticos Panel with Harlo)

1957

This mixed media collage combines gouache, ink, and photographic elements on cardboard to create a densely layered composition. The work features an orange and red dominant color palette with handwritten text in what appears to be Hindi script overlaid across geometric forms. A photographic portrait of a woman's face is embedded within the composition, fragmented by intersecting black lines and semi transparent colored rectangles. Additional photographic imagery, possibly botanical or naturalistic in nature, emerges through the layered surface, creating visual depth and complexity. The work exemplifies mid twentieth century experimental collage techniques, combining commercial materials with personal and textual elements.

Medium
Panel with Harlo)gouache, ink, paper and photo collage on cardboard in artist’s chosen frame
Overall
Location
Sotheby's, New York, NY

Notes

Contemporary Day Auction, Sotheby's, sale on 2026-05-15.

🔨 Auction Lot

Contemporary Day Auction

May 15, 2026

Estimate: $10,000 to $15,000

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About this work

Ray Johnson, Untitled (Moticos Panel with Harlo), 1957

This mixed media collage combines gouache, ink, and photographic elements on cardboard to create a densely layered composition. The work features an orange and red dominant color palette with handwritten text in what appears to be Hindi script overlaid across geometric forms. A photographic portrait of a woman's face is embedded within the composition, fragmented by intersecting black lines and semi transparent colored rectangles. Additional photographic imagery, possibly botanical or naturalistic in nature, emerges through the layered surface, creating visual depth and complexity. The work exemplifies mid twentieth century experimental collage techniques, combining commercial materials with personal and textual elements.

Medium
Panel with Harlo)gouache, ink, paper and photo collage on cardboard in artist’s chosen frame
Dimensions
overall: 27.9 x 17.8 cm
Year
1957
Seen at
Sotheby's, New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris

Related themes

Photographic Elements, Hindi Text, Experimental Art, Conceptual Art, Mixed Media Collage, Vintage Collage, Ink And Gouache, Geometric Abstraction, Textural Surface, Portrait Integration, Mid-Century Modern, Layered Imagery, Color Field Composition, Found Materials, Abstract Composition

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