Untitled
1744
ink
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
1744
ink
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
Untitled is a 1744 ink by Katsukawa Shunjō, a Baroque work, depicting actor, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This print shows a man in traditional Japanese clothing. He’s wearing a black robe with a sash and a tall, dark hat. His face is serious, and he holds a sword in one hand and a fan in the other. The background is plain, with just a few lines to suggest a wall. Notice the bold outlines and simple colors—this style was meant to stand out. The artist used flat areas of color instead of shading, which was common in Japanese prints. Look up actor next to see how these portraits often depicted performers.
