Untitled
1742
ink
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
1742
ink
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
Untitled is a 1742 ink by Katsukawa Shunkō, a Baroque work, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This print shows two people in dramatic poses. One wears a black wig with bold makeup, a pink robe, and a fan. The other has a simpler black wig and holds a long object like a scroll or weapon. Both faces are stylized with strong lines, and the background is plain. Notice how the artist uses sharp contrasts—black outlines against flat colors—to make the figures stand out. The bold makeup and exaggerated expressions suggest these are actors, likely from a performance. Check out cross-hatching to see how artists build texture with lines.
