Untitled by Mogens Balle

Untitled

Mogens Balle · 1966

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“Stop and examine this drawing to see how Mogens Balle uses just two ballpoint pens to create a surprisingly complex and energetic abstract world, full of movement and intriguing, half-formed shapes.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This small drawing, made with red and black ballpoint pens, presents a vibrant, almost chaotic energy. Abstract forms, reminiscent of organic shapes or perhaps fragmented figures, intertwine and overlap across the ivory tracing paper. The lines are fluid and spontaneous, suggesting a rapid creation process that captures an immediate thought or feeling. Notice how the two colors, red and black, are used to create depth and distinction, with the red often appearing to push forward while the black recedes or defines edges. The work feels like a glimpse into a subconscious landscape, where recognizable elements are just out of reach, inviting the viewer to piece together their own narrative from the dynamic interplay of lines and color.

DETAILS
Artist
Mogens Balle
Date
1966
Medium
Red and black ballpoint pens on ivory tracing paper
Location
Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions
15 × 10 cm (5 15/16 × 3 15/16 in.)
Collection
Prints and Drawings
Culture
United States
Credit line
Edward and Eleanor DeWitt Design Award Endowment and purchased with funds provided by an anonymous donor
ART MOVEMENTS
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Untitled
01

The way red lines seem to vibrate against the black ones.

02

Look for faint, ghost-like shapes emerging from the tangled lines.

03

The deliberate pressure variations in the pen strokes.

04

How the tracing paper's texture interacts with the ink.

AUDIO DEEP DIVE

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THE ARTIST

Mogens Balle

1921–1988 · Kingdom of Denmark

Mogens Balle, a Danish painter, created vibrant, abstract works, often exploring the spontaneous and experimental.

Read Balle’s full story
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EXPLORE THE MOVEMENT

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