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)

About this work

Subject & Meaning

While the specific species of the bird or the type of mask are not detailed in the available records, their juxtaposition defines the work's iconography.

Created in 1799 by Katsushika Hokusai, this ink and color painting on paper is classified as a still life. The composition features two distinct elements: a bird and a mask. While the specific species of the bird or the type of mask are not detailed in the available records, their juxtaposition defines the work's iconography.

As a still life, the piece focuses on inanimate or non-human subjects, inviting interpretation regarding the relationship between the natural creature and the artificial or ritualistic object. The work currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it represents an example of Hokusai's diverse subject matter beyond his famous landscape prints.

Technique & Style

Created in 1799, this work by Katsushika Hokusai is executed in ink and color on paper, adhering to traditional Japanese painting methods. The piece, measuring 21.1 by 25.1 centimeters, depicts a bird and a mask within a still-life composition. As a painting classified under the still-life genre, the artwork utilizes paper as its support, allowing for the application of both ink outlines and colored pigments.

The formal qualities reflect Hokusai's engagement with natural and symbolic subjects, rendered with the precision characteristic of his style during this period.

History & Provenance

Katsushika Hokusai's Untitled was created in 1799 in Japan, executed in ink and color on paper. The work, a still life depicting a bird and a mask, measures 21.1 by 25.1 centimeters and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. No additional details concerning commission, intermediate ownership, accession number, or exhibition history are documented in the available sources.

Overview

Katsushika Hokusai's Untitled (1799) is an ink and color painting on paper. This still life presents a quiet scene featuring a bird alongside a wooden mask. Executed late in the artist's life, it exemplifies his continued dedication to drawing and his ability to find compelling subjects in everyday observation. The work's simplicity belies a subtle interplay between the natural and the artificial.

Context

Created in 1799, when Hokusai was in his eighties, Untitled reflects the artist's lifelong commitment to his craft. His signature, "the old man mad about drawing," underscores this enduring passion. Even in his later years, Hokusai continued to explore and refine his artistic vision through seemingly modest subjects, demonstrating that his dedication to art-making remained undiminished, finding beauty and interest in the commonplace.