Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Katsushika Hokusai, ink, 1839
Untitled, by Katsushika Hokusai, ink, 1839

Untitled is an ink painting by the Japonisme artist Katsushika Hokusai. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Geese glide low over a winding stream, their wings rippling the water in a quiet, early-morning scene. Hokusai painted it near eighty with quick, light strokes and soft color, the ink lines sharp enough to give the birds life without fuss. Ink and color on paper, 1839.

Subject & Meaning

The hanging scroll presents a landscape scene centered on a stream, with geese as the primary living subject within the composition.

The hanging scroll presents a landscape scene centered on a stream, with geese as the primary living subject within the composition. The pairing of waterfowl and flowing water is a long-established motif in East Asian painting, where geese are commonly associated with seasonal transition, migratory movement, and the rhythms of the natural world. By placing the geese within the stream setting, the work emphasizes the relationship between wildlife and its watery habitat, a recurring theme in Hokusai's depictions of the Japanese countryside.

The composition draws attention to the geese as focal points against the broader landscape, inviting contemplation of nature's quiet, transient moments rather than narrative or symbolic allegory.

History & Provenance

Katsushika Hokusai's Untitled hanging scroll was created in 1839 in Japan, executed in ink and color on paper as a landscape depicting geese along a stream. The work entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it is held. No commissioning party or earlier provenance is documented, and the records do not specify an accession number or any exhibition history.

Context

The work is an 1839 hanging scroll by Katsushika Hokusai, executed in ink and color on paper and classified as a landscape. It portrays a goose alongside a stream, reflecting the artist's continued interest in naturalistic subjects during the late Edo period. The piece is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, underscoring its place within Hokusai's oeuvre and the broader narrative of Japanese landscape painting in the 19th century.

Its creation in Japan and inclusion in a major Western museum illustrate the cross-cultural transmission of his work and its enduring scholarly interest.

Overview

Katsushika Hokusai created this untitled landscape painting in 1839. Executed as a hanging scroll using ink and color on paper, the work features a serene natural scene. It exemplifies the artist's enduring engagement with landscape imagery, even in his later years. The composition captures a moment of tranquility, characteristic of his approach to depicting the natural world.

Technique & Style

Hokusai employed quick, light brushstrokes to render the scene, imparting a sense of immediate motion to the geese. The colors are softly applied, contributing to the tranquil mood, while sharp ink lines define the forms with precision. This combination creates a lively composition without relying on excessive detail, showcasing Hokusai's mastery in conveying vitality through economical means.

Fujiwara no Teika’s “Poems on Flowers and Birds of the Twelve Months”
Fujiwara no Teika’s “Poems on Flowers and Birds of the Twelve Months”

Artist & collection

Portrait of Katsushika Hokusai

Artist

Katsushika Hokusai

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

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Katsushika Hokusai in 1839.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Japonisme.