Joan Mitchell, Untitled, ca. 1953–1954. Oil on canvas,
1′ 5″ × 1′ 4″. Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown
(gift of Marilynn Meeker, 1986).

Mitchell painted this untitled abstract composition without knowing
who would buy it or where it would be displayed, but throughout
history, most artists created works for specific patrons and settings.