Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Ike Taiga, ink, 1734
Untitled, by Ike Taiga, ink, 1734

Untitled is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Ike Taiga. It dates from 1734 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work is classified as a landscape but its iconographic focus is poetry, reflecting the tradition of integrating verse with visual art in Edo-period Japan.

The untitled hanging scroll by Ike Taiga, dated 1734 and executed in ink on paper, presents a poetic subject rather than a figurative scene. The work is classified as a landscape but its iconographic focus is poetry, reflecting the tradition of integrating verse with visual art in Edo-period Japan. The scroll's composition allows the viewer to engage with the rhythmic qualities of the written word, suggesting a meditation on literary themes.

The piece originates from Japan and resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, underscoring its significance as a material embodiment of poetic expression in early Japanese painting.

Technique & Style

Created in 1734, this work by Ike Taiga is executed as a hanging scroll featuring ink on paper. Classified within the landscape genre, the piece depicts poetry, integrating literary elements into its visual composition. The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

History & Provenance

Untitled by Ike Taiga is dated to 1734 and originates from Japan, executed as an ink-on-paper hanging scroll classified as a landscape painting that incorporates poetry. The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains located. No further details regarding its commission, earlier ownership, or chain of custody are documented in the available sources.

Overview

Created in 1734, this hanging scroll by the Japanese painter Ike Taiga presents a minimalist landscape rendered in black ink on paper. The composition is dominated by a solitary bamboo stalk that leans as if caught by a breeze, accompanied by a short block of Japanese verse placed beside it.

Context

During the early 18th century, Japanese literati artists often combined calligraphy with monochrome brushwork, reflecting Chinese scholarly traditions. This scroll exemplifies that practice, aligning with the period’s aesthetic values of simplicity, spontaneity, and the unity of visual and literary arts.

Three poems from the “Collection of Poems Ancient and Modern” (Kokin wakashū), known as the “Imaki Fragment” (Imaki-gire)
Three poems from the “Collection of Poems Ancient and Modern” (Kokin wakashū), known as the “Imaki Fragment” (Imaki-gire)

Artist & collection

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Ike Taiga in 1734.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Baroque.