Untitled
1824
ink
paper
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
About the artist
Artist
Katsushika Hokusai
Katsushika Hokusai spent his life in Edo, now Tokyo, where he drew and carved prints for a living.
See the richer artist page1824
ink
paper
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dominant colour
Untitled is a 1824 ink by Katsushika Hokusai, a Japonisme work, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This drawing shows three ghostly figures floating in a pale, cloudy sky. Their shapes are made of loose, quick ink strokes—no clean outlines, just smudged lines and empty spaces. One figure on the right looks like it’s melting into the air, while the others seem to drift apart. The ink is applied in uneven patches, almost like it was brushed on fast. The paper looks old, with brown stains at the edges. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with lines.
Katsushika Hokusai spent his life in Edo, now Tokyo, where he drew and carved prints for a living.
See the richer artist page
