Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink painting by the Japonisme artist Katsushika Hokusai. It dates from 1824 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Created in 1824, this hanging scroll by Katsushika Hokusai is classified within the religious genre and depicts a male figure identified as a war deity.
Created in 1824, this hanging scroll by Katsushika Hokusai is classified within the religious genre and depicts a male figure identified as a war deity. The work, executed in ink and color on silk, centers on this martial spiritual entity, aligning with traditional iconography associated with protective or combative divine figures in Japanese art. As a religious painting, the subject likely serves a devotional or symbolic function, representing the power and presence of a warrior god.
The specific identification of the figure as a war deity establishes the core meaning of the piece, distinguishing it from secular landscapes or portraits often attributed to the artist.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in ink and polychrome pigments on silk, forming a hanging scroll support typical of Edo‑period Japanese paintings. The silk substrate allows the piece to be rolled for storage and display, reflecting conventional handling of such scrolls. The composition portrays a solitary male figure identified as a war deity, rendered with restrained line work and subtle color washes that emphasize spiritual authority.
Formal qualities include a vertical format, balanced negative space, and a focus on iconographic detail that aligns with the religious genre noted in the record.
History & Provenance
The hanging scroll titled Untitled by Katsushika Hokusai, created in 1824, is part of the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. While the specific accession or inventory number is not provided in the available records, the museum identifies the work as a painting depicting a man and a war deity, executed in ink and color on silk. The artwork's provenance links it to Japan as its place of origin.
No specific exhibition history or past display dates are documented in the provided sources, though the work remains held within the institution's collection.
Overview
This untitled hanging scroll, created by Katsushika Hokusai in 1824, depicts a powerful war deity. Executed with ink and color on silk, the painting presents a dynamic and intense portrayal of a divine figure. It exemplifies Hokusai's engagement with religious subjects, offering a vivid representation of a formidable presence.
Context
While Katsushika Hokusai frequently depicted Raijin throughout his career, this particular rendition stands out for its unbridled intensity. The artist's decision to portray the deity with such ferocity and dynamic movement was uncommon in Japanese religious art of the period. This work thus offers a unique insight into Hokusai's innovative approach to traditional iconography.
Artist & collection
Artist
Katsushika Hokusai spent his life in Edo, now Tokyo, where he drew and carved prints for a living.
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