Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Kano Chikanobu. It dates from 1694 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Executed in ink and color on paper, the work functions as a genre portrait, focusing its iconography entirely on the female figure.
Created in 1694 by Kano Chikanobu, this hanging scroll presents a portrait of a woman. Executed in ink and color on paper, the work functions as a genre portrait, focusing its iconography entirely on the female figure. The composition utilizes traditional materials to depict the subject, with the reverse side of the scroll featuring additional ink and color applications on silk.
As a representative example of portraiture from this period, the painting's primary meaning lies in its depiction of the individual woman, serving as a visual record of her likeness rather than illustrating a complex narrative or allegorical scene.
Technique & Style
Created in 1694, this hanging scroll by Kanō Chikanobu is executed in ink and color on paper. The reverse side of the support features additional work in ink and color on silk, indicating a complex, dual-sided construction. Measuring 101.6 cm in height and 34.4 cm in width, the vertical format supports its classification as a portrait.
The formal qualities depict a woman, rendered within the traditional Japanese painting genre. The combination of paper and silk supports, along with the use of both ink and pigment, reflects specific technical choices characteristic of the artist's period and medium handling.
History & Provenance
Created in 1694 by the Japanese artist Kanō Chikanobu, this hanging scroll portrait depicts a woman. The work was executed using ink and color on paper, with the reverse side featuring ink and color on silk. While the specific circumstances of its commission and the details of its ownership chain prior to its current location are not recorded in the available sources, the piece is presently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The hanging scroll Untitled by Kanō Chikanobu is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. While the work was created in 1694, the provided sources do not list a specific inventory or accession number for the piece. The documentation confirms its location within the museum's holdings but does not record any exhibition history for this specific painting.
Overview
This hanging scroll, created in 1694 by Kano Chikanobu, presents a solitary female figure rendered in ink and color. The work is double‑sided: one side painted on paper, the reverse on silk, allowing the viewer to display either image according to the season.
Context
The work belongs to the broader Edo‑period tradition of portraiture of women, a genre that often emphasized refined attire, natural motifs, and the quiet dignity of everyday life. Such images were commonly used to enhance the aesthetic atmosphere of private residences.
Artist & collection
