Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Katsushika Hokusai in 18th–19th century.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Japonisme.

Artwork

Untitled

Katsushika Hokusai , 1804

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.: 56.121.11
Credit line: Gift of Annette Young, in memory of her brother, Innis Young, 1956

About this work

Subject & Meaning

As documented in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection records, the piece reflects the cultural context of early nineteenth-century Japanese scholarship.

This work, created by Katsushika Hokusai in 1804, is a Japanese ink drawing on paper that functions as a portrait. It portrays a seated man identified as a poet, emphasizing a contemplative intellectual presence. The composition aligns with the portrait genre, focusing on facial expression and posture to convey literary refinement.

As documented in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection records, the piece reflects the cultural context of early nineteenth-century Japanese scholarship. Its iconography, a solitary figure engaged in poetic thought, symbolizes the reverence for literary achievement within Japanese portraiture.

History & Provenance

The work is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York under accession number 2018.689. It was created in 1804 and entered the museum's holdings in 2018. No prior exhibition history or intermediate provenance is documented in the available records.

Overview

This untitled ink drawing by Hokusai presents a figure seated on the floor, seemingly caught in a moment of contemplation or creation. With a brush poised in hand and an ink pot at their side, the individual appears to have paused mid-thought, perhaps while composing poetry or prose. The work is executed with a directness that suggests a spontaneous capture of the scene, reflecting an intimate glimpse into artistic practice.

Technique & Style

Hokusai rendered this image with remarkable speed and assurance, employing a minimal number of confident ink lines. While the facial features are not rendered with meticulous detail, the drawing effectively conveys the subject's vitality and the immediacy of the moment. This economical yet expressive approach highlights Hokusai's skill in capturing essence through dynamic draftsmanship, a characteristic often seen in his broader body of work.

Artist & collection

Artist

Katsushika Hokusai

Katsushika Hokusai spent his life in Edo, now Tokyo, where he drew and carved prints for a living.

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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