Untitled
1959
A bold and dynamic composition in black ink, this untitled work by Franz Kline exemplifies his signature Abstract Expressionist style, characterized by sweeping, gestural brushstrokes that command the white of the paper. Created in 1959, the work reflects Kline's mastery of spontaneous mark-making, where thick, confident lines convey a sense of raw energy and tension. The stark contrast between the dense black ink and the open white space creates a powerful visual dialogue, demonstrating Kline's ability to distill monumental force into a work on paper.
- Medium
- black ink on paper
- Dimensions
- Signed
- Yes
- Spotted At
- Auction House · Phillips
Notes
Execution: Executed circa 1959.
🔨 Auction Lot
Modern & Contemporary Art
February 28, 2026
Estimate: $60,000 – $80,000
Sold: $116,100
Lot 63
More by Franz Kline
Delaware Gap
1958
New York artist Franz Kline’s painterly style embodies the speed, action, and immediacy that characterized the Abstract Expressionist movement of the 1940s and 1950s. Though he began as a figurative painter, Kline developed his mature style by 1950, creating entirely abstract works devoid of representation. Focusing on black and white paintings in the first half of the decade, Kline increasingly re-introduced color into his palette in the mid-1950s and for the remainder of his career.
1954
Crosstown
1955
Spotted works by Franz Kline
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