Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Katsukawa Shunkō in 1778.

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 Shunkō , 1778

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shunkō. It dates from 1778 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Accession no.: JP713
Credit line: The Francis Lathrop Collection, Purchase, Frederick C. Hewitt Fund, 1911

About this work

Overview

Created around 1778 by the Edo‑period printmaker Katsukawa Shunkō, this unsigned woodblock work measures a single sheet of paper printed with ink and color. The composition centers on a solitary figure dressed in a flowing robe adorned with striking red and black motifs, set against a largely empty backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The depicted individual stands with a fan in one hand and the other arm resting on his hip, his hair styled in a high knot. His expression is composed yet intent, suggesting a moment of poised anticipation, while a curved branch of green foliage arches over his shoulder, adding a subtle natural element.

Technique & Style

Shunkō employs precise line work to delineate the robe’s folds, using fine cross‑hatching to render subtle shading and texture. The bold coloration of the garment contrasts with the minimal background, a hallmark of ukiyo‑e prints that emphasizes the figure’s presence through controlled use of line and pigment.

History & Provenance

The print is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, acquired as an example of late‑18th‑century Japanese woodblock production. Its attribution to Shunkō rests on stylistic analysis, aligning it with his known oeuvre during the peak of the Katsukawa school’s activity in the late Edo period.