Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Kano Naonobu in 1628.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Untitled

Kano Naonobu , 1628

Untitled is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Kano Naonobu. It dates from 1628 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created in 1628, this small album leaf by Kanō Naonobu presents a quiet natural scene rendered with ink and subtle color on paper.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

This 1628 album leaf by Kano Naonobu is classified as a landscape painting and is documented as depicting a bird.

This 1628 album leaf by Kano Naonobu is classified as a landscape painting and is documented as depicting a bird. The combination of bird imagery within a landscape format reflects a longstanding East Asian pictorial tradition in which avian subjects are situated within natural settings, often functioning as focal points within broader scenic compositions.

No further iconographic or symbolic details, such as the species of bird, accompanying motifs, or specific allegorical meaning, are provided in the available sources.

Technique & Style

Untitled is a single-sheet album leaf painted in ink with added color on paper. The support measures 25.4 cm in height by 34.6 cm in width, and the composition belongs to the landscape genre, featuring a solitary bird rendered in a style characteristic of the Kanō school. The work was executed in Japan around 1628, using traditional brushwork and pigment application typical of early-Edo period albums.

Its formal qualities include a balanced spatial arrangement and subtle tonal modulation that emphasize the bird's silhouette against a minimal background.

History & Provenance

Untitled is an album leaf painted in ink and color on paper by the Japanese artist Kanō Naonobu, dated 1628. The work depicts a bird within a landscape genre and measures 25.4 cm by 34.6 cm. It was created in Japan and is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is housed. The painting's creation is recorded in contemporary documentation, and its provenance leads to its acquisition by the museum, which now holds the work.

Overview

Created in 1628, this small album leaf by Kanō Naonobu presents a quiet natural scene rendered with ink and subtle color on paper. The composition centers on two birds perched on a minimally suggested branch, one appearing to sing while the other listens. The work exemplifies the restrained elegance typical of early Edo period ink paintings.

Context

During the 1600s, Japanese painters frequently used bird subjects to convey serene, contemplative scenes. Naonobu’s work reflects this tradition while also showcasing his personal preference for economy of line and the expressive potential of empty space.