“Untitled” (America)

A woman sits on a bench looking at large colorful paintings in a modern art gallery.

On view
Floor 7

This exhibition opened July 5, 2025 and will be on continuous view.

This exhibition features renowned works from the Whitney’s collection alongside recent acquisitions, highlighting key ideas and approaches in American art from 1900 through the early 1980s. Beginning with the Whitney’s robust holdings in figurative and realist traditions, the presentation considers how artists have responded to place and memory in the American landscape, popular culture and the rise of consumerism, the seductions and illusions of mass media, and the spatial and cultural dynamics of abstraction.

In 1930 sculptor and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney founded the Whitney Museum of American Art as a means of supporting living artists and creating a platform for contemporary American art. Her vision has inspired the Museum’s collecting practice for nearly a century, even as the very idea of “America” has continued to evolve. “Untitled” (America) pays homage to artist Felix Gonzalez-Torres, whose work of the same title illuminates a window in the exhibition, creating a passage between the Museum and the world beyond. Writing about this work, Gonzalez-Torres reflected: “America has always been an unattainable dream, a place to dream about. . . . The America that I now know is still a place of light, a place of opportunities, of risks, of justice, of racism, of injustice, of hunger and excess, of pleasure and growth. Democracy is a constant job, a collective dedication.” In that spirit, this presentation invites viewers to explore the distinct visions of “America” put forth by artists as they took stock of the pressing ideas of their time and imagined new possibilities.

“Untitled” (America) is organized by Kim Conaty, Nancy and Steve Crown Family Chief Curator, with Antonia Pocock, Curatorial Assistant.

This presentation of the Whitney’s collection is dedicated to the memory of Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman Emeritus.

Untitled (America) is sponsored by

Major support is provided by Judy Hart Angelo, the Barbara Haskell American Fellows Legacy Fund, Lise and Michael Evans, Meg and Bennett Goodman, The KHR McNeely Family Foundation | Kevin, Rosemary, and Hannah Rose McNeely, Stephanie March and Dan Benton, and The Ron and Kerry Moelis Family Foundation.

Significant support is provided by Jill and Darius Bikoff and Elizabeth Marsteller Gordon.

Generous support is provided by The Erving and Joyce Wolf Foundation, Timothy Greensfelder, the O’Grady Foundation, Susanne and William E. Pritchard III, the Thomas & Linda Koehn Foundation, and an anonymous donor.

Additional support is provided by Ann Ames.

Spanish translation for Untitled (America) is made possible through the support of Claudia Laviada and Carlos Rohm, and Stephanie March and Dan Benton.

Events

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Installation photography

Felix Gonzalez-Torres, "Untitled" (America), 1994. Twelve parts, each: 42 light bulbs, waterproof rubber light sockets, and waterproof electrical cord, overall dimensions vary with installation. Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase with funds from the Contemporary Painting and Sculpture Committee 96.74.1-9a-l. © Estate Felix Gonzalez-Torres, courtesy Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Robert Henri, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, 1916; Charles Sheeler, Office Interior, Whitney Studio Club, 10 West 8 Street, c.1928; Charles Sheeler, Office Interior, Whitney Studio Club, 10 West 8 Street, c.1928; Edward Hopper, Early Sunday Morning, 1930. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Georgia O’Keeffe, The White Calico Flower, 1931; Richmond Barthé, African Dancer, 1933; Aaron Douglas, Mural Study for Cravath Hall, Fisk University, 1929. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Edward Hopper, New York Interior, c. 1921 Edward Hopper, Seven A.M., 1948; Arshile Gorky, The Artist and His Mother, 1926–c. 1936; Alice Neel, Andy Warhol, 1970. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Georgia O’Keeffe, The White Calico Flower, 1931; Archibald John Motley Jr., Gettin’ Religion, 1948; George Bellows, Dempsey and Firpo, 1924; Edward Hopper, Second Story Sunlight, 1960; Yayoi Kusama, Air Mail Stickers, 1962. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Isamu Noguchi, Integral, 1959; Isamu Noguchi, Variation on a Millstone #1, 1962; Isamu Noguchi, Humpty Dumpty, 1946; Isamu Noguchi, Celebration, c. 1952; Isamu Noguchi, The Gunas, 1946; Isamu Noguchi, The Queen, 1931/c. 1943. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: George Bellows, Dempsey and Firpo, 1924; George Tooker, The Subway, 1950; Margaret French, The Moon by Day, 1939; PaJaMa, Margaret French, George Tooker and Jared French, Nantucket, c. 1946; PaJaMa, Margaret French, Paul Cadmus and José Martinez, Fire Island, 1939; PaJaMa, Chuck Howard and Ted Starkowski, 1953; Barkley L. Hendricks, Steve, 1976; Kay WalkingStick, April Contemplating May, 1972; Jasper Johns, Three Flags, 1958; Georgia O’Keeffe, Summer Days, 1936; Alma Thomas, Mars Dust, 1972; Robert Henri, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, 1916. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Fritz Scholder, Massacre at Wounded Knee II, 1970; Jacob Lawrence, Shipping Out, 1947; Jacob Lawrence, Docking––Cigarette, Joe?, 1947; Jacob Lawrence, Beachhead, 1947; Jacob Lawrence, The Letter, 1946; Jacob Lawrence, How Long?, 1947; Jacob Lawrence, On Leave, 1947; Jacob Lawrence, Victory, 1947. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Edward Hopper, Second Story Sunlight, 1960; Barkley L. Hendricks, Steve, 1976; Kay WalkingStick, April Contemplating May, 1972; Jasper Johns, Three Flags, 1958; Georgia O’Keeffe, Summer Days, 1936; Alma Thomas, Mars Dust, 1972. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: George Tooker, The Subway, 1950; Margaret French, The Moon by Day, 1939; PaJaMa, Margaret French, George Tooker and Jared French, Nantucket, c. 1946; PaJaMa, Margaret French, Paul Cadmus and José Martinez, Fire Island, 1939; PaJaMa, Chuck Howard and Ted Starkowski, 1953. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Barkley L. Hendricks, Steve, 1976; Kay WalkingStick, April Contemplating May, 1972; Jasper Johns, Three Flags, 1958; Georgia O’Keeffe, Summer Days, 1936; Alma Thomas, Mars Dust, 1972. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Barkley L. Hendricks, Steve, 1976; Kay WalkingStick, April Contemplating May, 1972; Jasper Johns, Three Flags, 1958; Georgia O’Keeffe, Summer Days, 1936; Alma Thomas, Mars Dust, 1972. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Yayoi Kusama, Air Mail Stickers, 1962; Marisol, Diptych, 1971; Chryssa, Newspaper Page, Sock Advertisement, 1959–62; Jasper Johns, Racing Thoughts, 1983; Edward Ruscha, Large Trademark with Eight Spotlights, 1962; Claes Oldenburg, Soft Dormeyer Mixer, 1965; Robert Watts, Case of Eggs (with Rainbow Wax Eggs), 1964; Margaret Bourke-White, Edison Electric, 1930; Roy Lichtenstein, Still Life with Crystal Bowl, 1972; Lucas Samaras, Dinner #15, 1965; Jeff Koons, Jim Beam - Passenger Car, 1986; Man Ray, New York, 1917/1966; Andy Warhol, Green Coca-Cola Bottles, 1962. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Yayoi Kusama, Air Mail Stickers, 1962; Marisol, Diptych, 1971; Chryssa, Newspaper Page, Sock Advertisement, 1959–62; Jasper Johns, Racing Thoughts, 1983. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Jasper Johns, Racing Thoughts, 1983; Claes Oldenburg, Soft Dormeyer Mixer, 1965; Margaret Bourke-White, Edison Electric, 1930; Robert Watts, Case of Eggs (with Rainbow Wax Eggs), 1964; Roy Lichtenstein, Still Life with Crystal Bowl, 1972; Lucas Samaras, Dinner #15, 1965; Jeff Koons, Jim Beam - Passenger Car, 1986; Man Ray, New York, 1917/1966; Andy Warhol, Green Coca-Cola Bottles, 1962; Jasper Johns, Painted Bronze, 1960 (cast and painted 1964); Gerald Murphy, Cocktail, 1927; Betye Saar, I’ve Got Rhythm, 1972. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Jean-Michel Basquiat, Hollywood Africans, 1983; Andy Warhol, Ethel Scull 36 Times, 1963; Rosalyn Drexler, Marilyn Pursued by Death, 1963. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Jasper Johns, Racing Thoughts, 1983; Clyfford Still, Untitled, 1956; Norman Lewis, American Totem, 1960; Edward Ruscha, Large Trademark with Eight Spotlights, 1962. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Margaret Bourke-White, Edison Electric, 1930; Claes Oldenburg, Soft Dormeyer Mixer, 1965; Robert Watts, Case of Eggs (with Rainbow Wax Eggs), 1964; Roy Lichtenstein, Still Life with Crystal Bowl, 1972; Lucas Samaras, Dinner #15, 1965; Jeff Koons, Jim Beam - Passenger Car, 1986; Man Ray, New York, 1917/1966; Andy Warhol, Green Coca-Cola Bottles, 1962; Jasper Johns, Painted Bronze, 1960 (cast and painted 1964); Gerald Murphy, Cocktail, 1927; Betye Saar, I’ve Got Rhythm, 1972; Mary Bauermeister, Homage to Marbert Du Breer, 1964; Nam Jun Paik, Magnet TV, 1965; Robert Rauschenberg, Satellite, 1955. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Robert Watts, Case of Eggs (with Rainbow Wax Eggs), 1964; Roy Lichtenstein, Still Life with Crystal Bowl, 1972; Jeff Koons, Jim Beam - Passenger Car, 1986; Lucas Samaras, Dinner #15, 1965; Man Ray, New York, 1917/1966; Andy Warhol, Green Coca-Cola Bottles, 1962; Jasper Johns, Painted Bronze, 1960 (cast and painted 1964); Gerald Murphy, Cocktail, 1927; Betye Saar, I’ve Got Rhythm, 1972; Mary Bauermeister, Homage to Marbert Du Breer, 1964; Nam Jun Paik, Magnet TV, 1965; Robert Rauschenberg, Satellite, 1955; Jean-Michel Basquiat, Hollywood Africans, 1983; Andy Warhol, Ethel Scull 36 Times, 1963; Rosalyn Drexler, Marilyn Pursued by Death, 1963. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Clyfford Still, Untitled, 1956; Norman Lewis, American Totem, 1960; Jay DeFeo, The Rose, 1958–66; Edward Ruscha, Large Trademark with Eight Spotlights, 1962. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Mark Rothko, Four Darks in Red, 1958; Andy Warhol, Ethel Scull 36 Times, 1963; Rosalyn Drexler, Marilyn Pursued by Death, 1963. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Clyfford Still, Untitled, 1956; Norman Lewis, American Totem, 1960; Jay DeFeo, The Rose, 1958–66. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Jay DeFeo, The Rose, 1958–66; Lee Bontecou, Untitled, 1963; Zilia Sánchez, Eros, 1976/1998. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Barnett Newman, The Promise, 1949; Clyfford Still, Untitled, 1956; Norman Lewis, American Totem, 1960; Jay DeFeo, The Rose, 1958–66. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Zilia Sánchez, Eros, 1976/1998; Feliz Gonzalez-Torres, “Untitled” (America), 1994. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: David Smith, Lectern Sentinel, 1961; Isamu Noguchi, Integral, 1959; Isamu Noguchi, Humpty Dumpty, 1946; Isamu Noguchi, Variation on a Millstone #1, 1962; Barnett Newman, Here III, 1965–66. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Isamu Noguchi, Celebration, c. 1952; Isamu Noguchi, The Gunas, 1946; Isamu Noguchi, The Queen, 1931/c. 1943. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Isamu Noguchi, Integral, 1959; David Smith, Lectern Sentinel, 1961; Isamu Noguchi, Humpty Dumpty, 1946; Isamu Noguchi, Variation on a Millstone #1, 1962; Georgia O’Keeffe, The White Calico Flower, 1931; Richmond Barthé, African Dancer, 1933. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Aaron Douglas, Mural Study for Cravath Hall, Fisk University, 1929; Elsie Driggs, Pittsburgh, 1927; Joseph Stella, The Brooklyn Bridge: Variation on an Old Theme, 1939; Charles Demuth, My Egypt, 1927; Eldzier Cortor, Day Clean, c.1945–46. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of “Untitled” (America) (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 5, 2025-). From left to right: Isamu Noguchi, Endless Coupling, 1957; Isamu Noguchi, Humpty Dumpty, 1946; Isamu Noguchi, Variation on a Millstone #1, 1962; Isamu Noguchi, Integral, 1959. Photograph by Ron Amstutz