Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Katsukawa Shun'ei 勝川春英 in 5.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Katsukawa Shun'ei 勝川春英 , 5

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shun'ei 勝川春英. It dates from 5 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Accession no.: JP328
Credit line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1918

About this work

Overview

Untitled is a woodblock print executed in ink and color on paper by the Edo‑period artist Katsukawa Shun'ei. The work, catalogued as number 5 in the artist's series, is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It exemplifies the dynamic composition and bold line work characteristic of late 18th‑century Japanese prints.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a solitary figure in an exaggerated, theatrical stance. He holds an open fan in one hand and a scroll in the other, his facial features rendered with oversized eyes, a wide mouth, and untamed hair. The exaggerated expression and costume suggest a portrayal of a kabuki actor or a caricature of a literary character, emphasizing performance and drama.

Technique & Style

Shun'ei employs crisp, sharply cut lines to delineate the texture of the fan, the checkered robe, and the sandals. The use of bold outlines and selective color blocks creates depth without reliance on shading, a common strategy in ukiyo‑e woodblock printing. The composition balances flat decorative patterns with dynamic gesture, highlighting the artist's skill in line economy.

History & Provenance

The print entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art's holdings through a 20th‑century acquisition, though its exact provenance before that remains undocumented. As an untitled work, it is identified primarily by the artist’s signature and stylistic attributes, allowing scholars to place it within Shun'ei's broader output of actor portraits and genre scenes.

Artist & collection

Artist

Katsukawa Shun'ei 勝川春英

Japanese, 1762–1819

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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