Artwork
Untitled

Untitled is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Katsushika Hokusai. It dates from 1799 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Its composition and symbolic elements convey spiritual narratives, aligning with the broader tradition of Buddhist visual representation in Japanese painting.
The work Untitled (1799) is a Japanese ink and colored paper painting that falls within the religious genre. It portrays Buddhist iconography associated with a saintly figure, reflecting devotional themes common in the Edo-period art of the period. The piece was produced in Japan and is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, where it is catalogued as a religious artwork.
Its composition and symbolic elements convey spiritual narratives, aligning with the broader tradition of Buddhist visual representation in Japanese painting.
Technique & Style
Created in 1799, this work by Katsushika Hokusai is executed in ink and color on paper, serving as a support for religious imagery depicting Buddhism and a saint. The piece measures 28.4 cm in height and 22.2 cm in width. Classified as a painting within the genre of religious art, it originates from Japan.
The combination of ink and pigment on paper reflects the traditional materials and handling techniques characteristic of the artist's output during this period. The formal qualities are defined by its specific dimensions and the depiction of sacred figures, aligning with the stylistic conventions of Japanese religious painting from the late eighteenth century.
Overview
This untitled painting by Hokusai, rendered in ink and color on paper, depicts a solitary saint. The figure is shown seated on a rock beneath a tree, clad in a simple robe. The composition emphasizes a sense of tranquility and introspection, characteristic of spiritual subjects in Japanese art. The work exemplifies Hokusai's approach to capturing a moment with minimal yet expressive detail.
Artist & collection
Artist
Katsushika Hokusai spent his life in Edo, now Tokyo, where he drew and carved prints for a living.
















