Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Katsushika Hokusai in 1822.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Japonisme.

Untitled by Katsushika Hokusai (1822) · Meaning & Museum

About this work

Subject & Meaning

This 1822 woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai depicts a bird and a hand fan, arranged within the still-life genre characteristic of the ukiyo-e tradition.

This 1822 woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai depicts a bird and a hand fan, arranged within the still-life genre characteristic of the ukiyo-e tradition. As a surimono, the work utilizes these specific objects to convey layered meanings often intended for private distribution among connoisseurs. While the source material identifies the visual elements as a bird and a fan, it does not provide a specific interpretation of their combined symbolism or the precise allegorical message the artist intended.

Consequently, the meaning of the work is defined by its composition of these natural and crafted items rather than a documented narrative or explicit iconographic program.

Technique & Style

Created in 1822, this work is a woodblock print executed in the surimono format, utilizing ink and color applied to paper. As a piece of ukiyo-e and nishiki-e tradition, the artwork depicts a bird and a hand fan within a still-life composition. The handling of the medium reflects the specific characteristics of Japanese printmaking from the early 19th century, where vibrant pigments are layered onto the paper support through the block-printing process.

History & Provenance

Katsushika Hokusai created this untitled woodblock print in 1822, working in ink and color on paper as a surimono, a privately commissioned luxury print format associated with ukiyo-e and nishi-e traditions. The work depicts a bird and a hand fan, characteristic motifs of the still-life genre in which Hokusai occasionally worked. It is now held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Beyond these facts, the available sources do not document the original commissioner, the circumstances of its production, or the successive owners through whom it passed before entering the museum's holdings.

The 1822 woodblock print Untitled by Katsushika Hokusai is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This surimono, which depicts a bird and a hand fan, is cataloged within the museum's holdings of ukiyo-e and nishiki-e prints. The provided sources do not list a specific accession number or detail any exhibition history for this work.

Overview

Created in 1822 by Katsushika Hokusai, this untitled surimono is a woodblock print executed in ink and color on paper. The composition centers on a small bird perched upon a half-open fan, capturing a moment of stillness after landing. The artist renders the fan's bamboo ribs and paper surface using a restrained palette of soft blues and grays, while the bird's plumage is defined by delicate, stitch-like black lines that demonstrate the technical precision characteristic of the surimono format.

Produced as a private gift rather than a commercial commodity for the general market, this work reflects the refined tastes of the Kasei culture and the specialized patronage system of Edo-period Japan. Surimono were typically commissioned by poetry clubs or private societies to celebrate specific occasions, allowing artists like Hokusai to experiment with higher quality pigments and intricate printing techniques unavailable in standard ukiyo-e prints. This piece stands as a testament to Hokusai's versatility during his mature period, showcasing his ability to distill natural forms into elegant, graphic compositions that bridge the gap between observation and stylization within the ukiyo-e tradition.