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 Baroque.

Untitled by Katsushika Hokusai (18th–19th century)

Accession no.: 56.121.28
Credit line: Gift of Annette Young, in memory of her brother, Innis Young, 1956

About this work

Technique & Style

These formal qualities establish the object as a portable, two-dimensional composition currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Created in 1799, this work by Katsushika Hokusai is executed in ink and color on paper. The piece is classified as a painting and originates from Japan. While the specific handling of the brushwork is not detailed in the available records, the medium defines the formal presentation of the subjects: a pheasant and a snake.

The physical support is paper, which accommodates the ink and pigment application characteristic of the artist's practice during this period. The dimensions of the work are recorded as 27.9 centimeters in height and 41.9 centimeters in width. These formal qualities establish the object as a portable, two-dimensional composition currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

History & Provenance

Created in 1799 in Japan, this ink and color painting on paper is attributed to the artist Katsushika Hokusai. The work, which depicts a pheasant and a snake, entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains housed. While the specific circumstances of its commission and the details of its ownership chain prior to its acquisition by the museum are not provided in the available records, the piece is classified as a painting from the late eighteenth century.

Katsushika Hokusai's painting Untitled, dated 1799, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, executed in ink and color on paper, depicts a pheasant and a snake. While the specific accession number is not provided in the available records, the museum lists the piece within its holdings, noting its Japanese origin and dimensions of 27.9 by 41.9 centimeters.

The provided sources do not contain details regarding a specific exhibition history or a formal inventory number beyond its identification as part of the museum's collection.

Context

Created in 1799 in Japan, this ink and color on paper painting belongs to Hokusai’s early oeuvre and portrays a pheasant alongside a snake. Classified as a painting, it is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, where it has been studied as an example of his naturalistic subjects. Its formal dimensions (27.9 × 41.9 cm) and provenance underscore its significance within the artist’s development and the broader narrative of ukiyo‑e imagery.

Overview

Katsushika Hokusai's Untitled, created in 1799, is an ink and color painting on paper. This dynamic composition captures a dramatic encounter between two creatures: a pheasant and a snake. The artwork showcases Hokusai's skill in depicting natural forms and intense moments with precision and vitality, characteristic of his broader artistic output.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork portrays a pheasant caught mid-flight, its wings fully extended, as a snake tightly coils around its legs. This depiction presents a struggle for survival within the natural world. Despite the inherent tension of the confrontation, Hokusai renders the scene without explicit gore, focusing instead on the powerful movement and interaction between the two animals, suggesting a cycle of nature rather than a violent climax.