Open full image Pin

Untitled

Katsukawa Shunshō

1779

ink

paper

From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art

Romanticism 18th Century Floral Actor

Dominant colour

Untitled is a 1779 ink by Katsukawa Shunshō, a Romanticism work, depicting Actor, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Katsukawa Shunshō
When & what style?: 1779 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Metropolitan Museum of Art

About this work

This print shows a woman in a long, flowing robe with floral patterns on one sleeve. Her hair is styled neatly under a dark hat, and she holds a fan in one hand. The background is plain, keeping all focus on her elegant pose and the way her clothes drape. Notice how the artist used simple lines and flat colors to create depth and movement. The floral designs on her sleeve look almost three-dimensional, even though they’re just ink on paper. If you like this style, look up cross-hatching next to see how artists build shadows with lines.