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.

Artwork

Untitled

Katsushika Hokusai , 1799

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

Created in 1799 by Katsushika Hokusai, this ink and color painting on paper functions as a landscape study focused on natural forces.

Created in 1799 by Katsushika Hokusai, this ink and color painting on paper functions as a landscape study focused on natural forces. The composition depicts a wind-driven wave alongside a bird, capturing a specific moment of atmospheric interaction. As an untitled work, its meaning derives from these observed elements rather than a prescribed narrative, centring on the dynamic relationship between the bird and the turbulent water and emphasizing the power of wind in the natural world. The work reflects Hokusai's interest in depicting the immediate physical world through precise observation.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink and color on paper, this 1799 work by Katsushika Hokusai is classified as a painting within the landscape genre. The composition, depicting a bird amid wind-driven waves, is rendered on a modest sheet measuring 27.9 by 41.9 centimetres. Produced in Japan and held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the piece reflects Hokusai's early-period handling of ink and pigment on paper.

History & Provenance

Created in 1799 in Japan, this ink and color painting on paper is attributed to Katsushika Hokusai and measures 27.9 by 41.9 centimetres. While specific details of its commission or early ownership are not recorded, the piece is now held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Overview

Katsushika Hokusai's Untitled, created in 1799, is a painting executed in ink and color on paper. This landscape composition features a solitary bird set against the dynamic force of a wind-driven wave. The artwork exemplifies Hokusai's engagement with natural elements, presenting a scene where a small creature confronts, or coexists with, the powerful movements of water.

Context

Hokusai, known for his extensive exploration of natural phenomena, frequently returned to the motif of waves throughout his career. This particular depiction, with its curling form and implied motion, foreshadows and connects to his later, more widely recognized studies of water in various states. The artist's persistent fascination with capturing the dynamic essence of waves became a defining characteristic of his artistic output.