Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink painting by the Japonisme artist Katsushika Hokusai. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 56.121.13
- Credit line
- Gift of Annette Young, in memory of her brother, Innis Young, 1956
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition features two men engaged in the struggle, capturing a moment of dynamic human interaction rather than a mythological or historical narrative.
Katsushika Hokusai's 1804 ink-on-paper work, titled Untitled, depicts a genre scene centered on the physical contest of wrestling. The composition features two men engaged in the struggle, capturing a moment of dynamic human interaction rather than a mythological or historical narrative. As a genre painting, the work focuses on everyday activities and the raw energy of athletic competition.
Created in Japan, the piece utilizes the medium of ink to delineate the figures and their movement within a compact format measuring 21 by 27.6 centimetres. The subject matter reflects Hokusai's interest in capturing the vitality of common life and physical exertion during the early 19th century.
Technique & Style
Created in 1804 by Katsushika Hokusai, this work is executed in ink on paper, a traditional medium for Japanese painting. The piece functions as a genre scene depicting two men engaged in wrestling. Measuring 21 centimetres in height and 27.6 centimetres in width, the small-scale format suggests an intimate handling of the subject matter.
The work is classified as a painting originating from Japan and is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The formal composition focuses on the dynamic interaction between the figures, utilizing the ink medium to define the wrestling action without additional coloration. The support of paper is consistent with the artist's practice during the early nineteenth century.
History & Provenance
Created by Katsushika Hokusai in 1804, this ink-on-paper work depicts a wrestling scene featuring two men. The piece originated in Japan and was executed on paper, measuring 21 by 27.6 centimetres. While the specific commission details and initial ownership chain are not recorded in the available documentation, the work eventually entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as a painting depicting a man in a wrestling pose.
The creation date is established as 1804, situating the artwork within Hokusai's early career. No exhibition records have been identified in the available documentation.
Overview
This untitled ink drawing by Katsushika Hokusai, created in 1804, captures a dynamic wrestling scene. Executed on paper, the work exemplifies the artist's ongoing exploration of human form and vigorous action. Despite its brevity, it conveys a powerful sense of movement and physical exertion, characteristic of Hokusai's approach to genre subjects even in his later years.
Context
Hokusai produced this drawing when he was approximately 74 years old, demonstrating his sustained artistic vitality and continuous experimentation. Even in his advanced age, he remained focused on capturing the essence of movement and the human figure in motion. This work reflects his enduring interest in everyday life and the dynamic forces within it, a theme he explored throughout his extensive career.
Artist & collection
Artist
Katsushika Hokusai spent his life in Edo, now Tokyo, where he drew and carved prints for a living.
