László Moholy-Nagy

American, born Hungary, 1895 - 1946

Explore selected works

A circle and several parallelograms float, changing color where they overlap, against a mustard and lemon-yellow background in this abstract, vertical painting. The circle is near the upper left corner, and stretches almost halfway across the canvas. The circle is mostly elephant gray and is black where the angular forms overlap it. All of the parallelograms are vertical except for one that cuts across them and the circle. The parallelograms are mostly ivory white, pale pink, stone gray, or light turquoise where they intersect, except for one that turns from ruby red to brick red within the circle and the leftmost shape, which has a pattern of small black dots against slate gray.
László Moholy-Nagy, Z VII, 1926, oil and graphite on canvas, Gift of Richard S. Zeisler, 2007.112.1

Z VII

László Moholy-Nagy · 1926 · oil and graphite on canvas ·  Accession ID  2007.112.1
From very high up, we look down along the height of a metal radio tower at a plaza on the ground, which is dotted with umbrellas, tables, and chairs in this vertical black and white photograph. The side of the tower fills almost the height of the right edge of this image. Crisscrossing girders form diamond shapes down the sides, enclosing stairways and other structures. In the plaza below, the tables and chairs create cross and asterisk shapes around the disks of the umbrellas, seen from above. Along the bottom of the photograph, and cut off by that edge, the tables and a skeletal awning creates a ring around a circular area, presumably grass.
László Moholy-Nagy, Funkturm Berlin (Radio Tower Berlin), 1928, gelatin silver print, Patrons' Permanent Fund, 2007.31.1

Funkturm Berlin (Radio Tower Berlin)

László Moholy-Nagy · 1928 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2007.31.1
The image shows a collection of overlapping shapes and lines. There is a prominent circular form intersected by diagonal lines, creating an abstract composition. The abstract arrangement of shapes and shadows gives the impression of a coiled spring intersecting with a circular frame. There are two white rectangular shapes in the center that resemble blocks of ice or small paper sheets. The combination of these geometric forms and shadows gives the feel of looking at a complex piece of machinery or a spinning top from above.
László Moholy-Nagy, Untitled (Positive), c. 1922-1924, gelatin silver print from photogram negative, Gift of The Circle of the National Gallery of Art, 1999.23.2

Untitled (Positive)

László Moholy-Nagy · c. 1922-1924 · gelatin silver print from photogram negative ·  Accession ID  1999.23.2
The image shows a collection of intersecting geometric shapes such as elongated rectangles and triangles against a grayish background. It features contrasting shades of black and white, with thin lines crisscrossing the larger forms. The composition evokes a stylized sailboat or modern architectural structure, with vertical elements resembling masts or skyscrapers and lower shapes suggesting a base or foundation. The overlapping and intersecting lines imply movement and dynamic tension.
László Moholy-Nagy, Construction IX, 1922, color lithograph in black and green on wove paper, Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen, 2012.92.145

Construction IX

László Moholy-Nagy · 1922 · color lithograph in black and green on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2012.92.145
The image displays a composition of geometric shapes and lines. It includes a red circle intersected by yellow lines, accompanied by vertical forms on a black background. The vertical forms consist of white and black lines, one solid and the other made of adjacent stripes.
László Moholy-Nagy, Q, 1922/1923, collage with watercolor and pen and black ink over graphite on cream paper attached to carbon paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1982.27.1

Q

László Moholy-Nagy · 1922/1923 · collage with watercolor and pen and black ink over graphite on cream paper attached to carbon paper ·  Accession ID  1982.27.1
The image shows a series of concentric circles intersected by horizontal and diagonal lines. The larger circle has a pattern of dots, while the smaller circle has a cross inside. The lines create a sense of movement and structure. The arrangement of shapes and lines invites exploration of their interactions and abstract expression, resembling a piece of machinery or a satellite map.
László Moholy-Nagy, Abstraction III, 1922, linocut, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1971.75.2

Abstraction III

László Moholy-Nagy · 1922 · linocut ·  Accession ID  1971.75.2
This image features two circular shapes, one larger on the left and another smaller on the top right, with intricate patterns of repeating lines forming concentric circles. A white, rectangular form cuts horizontally across the larger circle, intersecting a smaller, textured rectangular shape below. The background includes thin, slightly tilted lines parallel to one another, conveying movement throughout the composition.
László Moholy-Nagy, Abstraction II, 1922, linocut, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1971.75.1

Abstraction II

László Moholy-Nagy · 1922 · linocut ·  Accession ID  1971.75.1
The image displays various geometric shapes and lines, including a central circular form intersected by multiple straight and curved lines. The play of light and shadow creates an abstract composition. Dark rectangular shapes cast shadows across the scene.
László Moholy-Nagy, Untitled, c. 1922-1924, gelatin silver print, New Century Fund, 2006.130.1

Untitled

László Moholy-Nagy · c. 1922-1924 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2006.130.1