Richard Prince's Untitled (De Kooning) series, created around 2008-2009, stands as a profound exploration of appropriation and homage within the context of modern and contemporary art. Prince was inspired by Willem de Kooning, an iconic figure of the Abstract Expressionist movement, particularly de Kooning's Women series. This inspiration led Prince to create a series of mixed media works that delve deeply into the themes of authorship, originality, and the commodification of art.

In creating the Untitled (De Kooning) series, Prince engaged directly with reproductions from a catalogue of de Kooning's Women series. He sketched over these figures, adding cut-out limbs, facial features, and genitalia from printed media before scanning and printing these images onto large canvases. By painting the final layer, Prince produced montages that juxtaposed de Kooning's infamous women with a barrage of mass media images, creating complex, layered works that both celebrate and critique the original pieces​ (The Art Story)​.

The process behind these works involved a meticulous layering of media and meaning. Prince began by altering the reproductions with graphite and oil crayons, adding outlines, textures, and silhouettes to the original figures. This manipulation was further intensified by the addition of collage elements cut from catalogues and vintage pornographic magazines, which contributed to the creation of hybrid or hermaphroditic characters. These elaborately reworked images were then enlarged via ink-jet printing onto monumental canvases, with Prince painting over these canvases in a style reminiscent of de Kooning's own. This series is not just a simple act of appropriation; it is a complex dialogue between Prince's and de Kooning's artistic languages, exploring the intersections of male and female, painting and print, high art and mass culture​ (Sothebys.com)​.

Prince's work in the Untitled (De Kooning) series reflects a broader investigation into the nature of American culture, examining themes of sexuality, identity, and the pervasive influence of mass media. By blurring the lines between de Kooning's imagery and his own, Prince questions the boundaries between high and low culture, exposing the crass and sexually charged undertones of American life. This series, as part of Prince's larger oeuvre, challenges the viewer to reconsider notions of artistic genius, authenticity, and the value of art in a commodified society​ (Gagosian)​​ (Sothebys.com)​.

Richard Prince's Untitled (De Kooning) series is a pivotal example of his engagement with the technique of appropriation, serving as both a homage to and a critical reflection on the legacy of Willem de Kooning. Through this series, Prince extends the conversation on the meanings of creation, authorship, and the role of art in reflecting and dissecting cultural and societal norms.