Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Kano Tan'yū. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work's iconography centers on these two specific natural elements, identified as Bambusoideae and a squirrel, rendered in ink and color on silk.
Created in 1650 by the Japanese artist Kanō Tan'yū, this album leaf presents a still-life composition featuring a squirrel amidst bamboo. The work's iconography centers on these two specific natural elements, identified as Bambusoideae and a squirrel, rendered in ink and color on silk. In the context of East Asian art, the pairing of bamboo and squirrels often carries symbolic weight; bamboo represents resilience and integrity due to its ability to bend without breaking, while squirrels can symbolize fertility or abundance.
Although the specific interpretive narrative intended by Tan'yū for this particular leaf is not explicitly detailed in the available records, the depiction aligns with traditional genre paintings that celebrate nature's vitality. The work serves as a focused study of these organisms, capturing their forms within a compact format typical of album leaves from the period.
Technique & Style
Created in 1650 by the Japanese artist Kanō Tan'yū, this work is an album leaf executed in ink and color on a silk support. The painting measures 25.4 cm in height and 35.6 cm in width. Stylistically, it functions as a still life, depicting a squirrel amidst bamboo (Bambusoideae).
The combination of ink washes with applied color on silk reflects the materials typical of the Kanō school during the Edo period. The composition focuses on naturalistic observation within a confined format, characteristic of album leaves intended for close viewing.
History & Provenance
The album leaf titled Untitled was created by the Japanese artist Kanō Tan'yū in 1650. Executed in ink and color on silk, the piece originates from Japan and measures 25.4 by 35.6 centimeters, depicting a squirrel among bamboo. The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
While its attribution to Tan'yū and its dating to 1650 anchor its place within the artist's body of work, the available sources do not record a specific accession number or any exhibition history, nor do they elaborate on prior ownership before its acquisition.
Overview
This untitled painting, created around 1650 by Kano Tan'yū, is an album leaf rendered in ink and color on silk. It presents a focused natural scene featuring a squirrel amidst bamboo, a common motif in East Asian art. The work's intimate scale suggests it was intended for close viewing rather than public display.
Context
This piece belongs to a larger series of small-scale paintings that Kano Tan'yū produced for albums. Unlike larger scrolls or screens designed for wall display, these album leaves were created for personal contemplation. Their intimate format encouraged viewers to hold and examine each page closely, fostering a direct and private engagement with the artwork.
Artist & collection
