Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Katsukawa Shunshō in 18th century.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Untitled

Katsukawa Shunshō , 1759

Untitled is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Katsukawa Shunshō. It dates from 1759 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Katsukawa Shunshō's 1759 hanging scroll, titled Untitled, is a landscape painting that depicts a bird and a plant. Executed in ink and color on silk, the work focuses on these natural elements as its primary subject matter. The composition presents these figures within the context of a Japanese landscape genre, emphasizing the relationship between the avian subject and the flora.

Technique & Style

Created in 1759, this work by Katsukawa Shunshō is executed as a hanging scroll using ink and color applied to a silk support. The painting depicts a landscape featuring birds and plants, reflecting the artist's engagement with natural motifs. Physically, the scroll measures 72.4 cm in height and 30.8 cm in width. It is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

History & Provenance

The work entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of Japanese paintings.

The painting Untitled was produced in 1759 in Japan as a hanging scroll in ink and color on silk, belonging to the landscape genre and depicting a bird and a plant. Its creation is recorded in contemporary sources as part of the output of Katsukawa Shunshō, a Japanese painter of the mid‑Edo period. The work entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of Japanese paintings.

The museum’s catalog notes an inception date of 1759‑01‑01 and records the piece’s dimensions as 72.4 cm by 30.8 cm. No further ownership details or commissioning information are documented in the available sources.

Overview

This untitled hanging scroll, created by Katsukawa Shunshō in 1759, features a delicate natural scene. Executed with ink and color on silk, the painting captures a small bird perched on a bamboo stalk, surrounded by blossoms and swaying grass. It exemplifies a common subject in Japanese art, rendered with a notable sense of immediacy and movement.

Context

Birds hold a significant and enduring presence across various forms of Japanese art, appearing in diverse media from small-scale sketches to expansive screen paintings. This widespread artistic tradition reflects a deep cultural appreciation for nature and its creatures. Shunshō's depiction of a bird within a landscape situates this work within a long-established artistic lineage that celebrates the natural world.