Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Kano Tsunenobu, ink, 1667
Untitled, by Kano Tsunenobu, ink, 1667

Untitled is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Kano Tsunenobu. It dates from 1667 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The imagery focuses strictly on these organic forms without additional narrative figures or complex allegorical structures indicated in the available records.

Created in 1667 by Kano Tsunenobu, this album leaf presents a landscape composition centered on natural motifs. The work specifically depicts birds and flowers, utilizing ink and color on silk to render these subjects. As a piece within the landscape genre, the iconography relies on the traditional pairing of avian and floral elements, which often symbolize seasonal cycles or natural harmony in Japanese art.

The imagery focuses strictly on these organic forms without additional narrative figures or complex allegorical structures indicated in the available records.

Technique & Style

Created in 1667, this album leaf by Kano Tsunenobu is executed in ink and color on a silk support. The work measures 29 cm in height and 42.5 cm in width, presenting a landscape genre scene that incorporates depictions of birds and flowers. As a painting classified within the Kano school tradition, the piece utilizes the fluidity of ink combined with applied pigments to render its natural subjects on the textile surface.

History & Provenance

The album leaf was created in 1667 by Kano Tsunenobu, executed in ink and color on silk as part of a multi-leaf set. According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's cataloging, the work bears the accession designation MET 1974.224.1–.31, indicating it entered the museum's collection in 1974 as part of a group of thirty-one leaves. The painting was produced in Japan and depicts birds and flowers within a landscape setting.

The work's current location is the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is held in the Paintings classification. No further details about earlier ownership, prior collections, or commission history are documented in the available sources.

Overview

This untitled painting by Kano Tsunenobu, created in 1667, is an album leaf rendered in ink and color on silk. It presents a serene natural scene, featuring a brown bird perched on a twisted branch amidst pink blossoms and soft green foliage. As a single page from a larger collection, this work was intended for intimate viewing, passed among individuals to appreciate its delicate details and tranquil composition.

Context

As an album leaf, this painting was originally part of a larger compilation of artworks bound together in a book. Such albums were designed for private appreciation and shared viewing within small gatherings. The format encouraged close examination of each individual image, allowing viewers to engage intimately with the artist's skill and the specific subject matter presented on each page.

Untitled
Untitled, Kano Tanshin (Morimasa) 狩野探信

Artist & collection

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Kano Tsunenobu in 17th century.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Baroque.