Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink painting. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
This 1834 ink drawing by the Hokusai School belongs to the genre of genre scene and depicts a man, an actor, and a rat (Rattus).
This 1834 ink drawing by the Hokusai School belongs to the genre of genre scene and depicts a man, an actor, and a rat (Rattus). The combination of a theatrical performer with a rat situates the work within the Japanese pictorial tradition of satirical or playful genre imagery, in which everyday and theatrical subjects were often treated with humor. The presence of the actor figure links the composition to the popular kabuki culture of early nineteenth-century Japan, while the inclusion of the rat introduces a naturalistic or possibly symbolic element drawn from common motifs in ukiyo-e and related schools.
Together, the depicted figures suggest a scene drawn from daily or theatrical life rather than a formal portrait or landscape, reflecting the Hokusai School's interest in lively, observational subjects rendered in ink on paper.
Technique & Style
The work is an unmounted ink drawing on paper, executed in the manner of the Hokusai school during 1834. Its medium consists of fine ink lines applied directly to a sheet of paper, which serves as both support and surface; no additional ground or preparation is recorded. The drawing depicts a theatrical figure, identified as an actor and the rodent Rattus, rendered with the characteristic swift brushwork and compositional economy of Japanese genre scenes.
The format measures approximately 26.7 × 36.8 cm, as noted in the Metropolitan Museum of Art catalogue. No explicit information about later mounting, conservation treatment, or current condition is provided in the documentation. Stylistically, the piece emphasizes linear contour, minimal shading, and a dynamic pose that conveys movement typical of early‑19th‑century ukiyo‑e illustration.
History & Provenance
The work titled Untitled is an unmounted drawing in ink on paper produced by the Hokusai School in 1834, as recorded in its internal catalogue entry. It was created in Japan and measures 26.7 × 36.8 cm, details confirmed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Wikidata entry. The drawing depicts a Rattus, an actor, and a man, matching the subject terms listed for the piece.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art currently holds the work, establishing its modern ownership chain from the time of its creation to the present collection.
The work titled Untitled, attributed to the Hokusai School and dated 1834, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While specific accession or inventory numbers are not provided in the available records, the museum lists the piece as a painting within its holdings. The artwork, an unmounted ink drawing on paper measuring 26.7 by 36.8 centimeters, originates from Japan.
The provided sources do not contain any information regarding a specific exhibition history for this piece, nor do they list prior ownership or provenance details beyond its current location at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Overview
This untitled ink drawing from the Hokusai School, created in 1834, captures a dynamic genre scene. Executed on paper, the unmounted work features a crouching figure, possibly an actor, engaged with multiple rats. The composition suggests a moment of surprise or interaction, characteristic of the lively theatrical themes prevalent in Japanese art of the period.
Context
Given its subject matter and expressive style, this drawing was likely produced as a reference or guide for actors involved in Kabuki theater. Such sketches often served to visualize specific scenes, character interactions, or stage directions. The depiction of rats, whether as physical props or symbolic entities, aligns with the dramatic narratives and visual spectacle characteristic of Kabuki performances during the Edo period.
Artist & collection
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Traveling Players
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Itinerant Actors