Artwork
Untitled

Untitled is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Furuyama Moromasa. It dates from 1742 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created in 1742, this hanging scroll presents a solitary female figure rendered in ink and color on silk.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Her likeness is presented without narrative accessories, suggesting a focus on individual presence rather than allegorical storytelling.
The work shows a solitary woman rendered in ink and color on silk, characteristic of early‑Edo portraiture. Her likeness is presented without narrative accessories, suggesting a focus on individual presence rather than allegorical storytelling.
The scroll, dated 1742 and produced in Japan, was later acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on display. By concentrating on the sitter’s facial expression and attire, the artist invites viewers to consider contemporary notions of femininity and status within the period’s visual culture.
Technique & Style
Created in 1742, this portrait of a woman is executed as a hanging scroll utilizing ink and color on a silk support. The work is attributed to the Japanese artist Furuyama Moromasa. As a painting classified within the portrait genre, the piece demonstrates the traditional handling of silk and pigment characteristic of the period's Japanese art.
History & Provenance
Created in 1742 by the Japanese artist Furuyama Moromasa, this hanging scroll depicts a woman rendered in ink and color on silk. The work was produced in Japan during the mid-18th century. It is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified as a portrait painting.
No further details regarding its commission, earlier ownership history, or specific acquisition date are provided in the available records.
The hanging scrollUntitled by Furuyama Moromasa, dated 1742, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, executed in ink and color on silk, depicts a woman and was created in Japan. While its presence in the museum's holdings is established, specific inventory or accession numbers are not provided in the available records. Furthermore, no details regarding its exhibition history are currently documented in the sources.
Context
Untitled is a 1742 hanging scroll portrait by Furuyama Moromasa, executed in ink and color on silk. The work depicts a woman and is classified as a portrait, reflecting the genre of Japanese portraiture in the eighteenth century. It was created in Japan and is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of Asian art.
The piece contributes to understanding of Moromasa’s output within the broader context of Edo‑period painting, linking his portrait practice to contemporary trends in Japanese visual culture.
Overview
Created in 1742, this hanging scroll presents a solitary female figure rendered in ink and color on silk. The composition captures a quiet interior scene, illuminated by the soft glow of evening light that gently reflects off the silk surface. The work is unsigned, and its title remains unknown, leading scholars to refer to it simply as Untitled.
Artist & collection
Artist
Furuyama Moromasa spent his life in Edo, today’s Tokyo, painting the world he saw around him.


















