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

The classification as a portrait emphasizes the representation of the individual rather than a broader landscape or abstract concept.

The work depicts a man holding a sword, presenting a direct portrait composition created by Katsushika Hokusai in 1799. Executed in ink and color on paper, the piece focuses on the figure of the male subject and the weapon he bears. While the specific narrative context or deeper symbolic meaning is not detailed in the available records, the visual content is strictly defined by these two elements: the man and the sword.

The classification as a portrait emphasizes the representation of the individual rather than a broader landscape or abstract concept. The work remains a singular depiction of this armed figure within Hokusai's output from the turn of the 19th century.

Technique & Style

The work Untitled, created by Katsushika Hokusai in 1799, is executed in ink with subtle color washes on paper, a technique typical of Japanese draftsmanship of the period. It is classified as a painting and falls within the portrait genre, portraying a solitary man holding a sword. The composition is rendered on a rectangular support measuring approximately 27 cm in height by 39.1 cm in width, reflecting a modest scale suited to intimate viewing. The piece is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

History & Provenance

Created in 1799 in Japan, the painting Untitled was executed by Katsushika Hokusai using ink and color on paper. The work depicts a man holding a sword and measures 27 by 39.1 centimeters. While specific details regarding the original commission or the initial ownership chain are not recorded in the available sources, the artwork eventually entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The piece is classified as a portrait and remains part of the museum's holdings, representing a specific moment in Hokusai's career from the late eighteenth century.

The painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains part of the institution's holdings of works by Katsushika Hokusai. No specific inventory or accession number is recorded in the available documentation. The provided sources do not document any exhibition history for the work, and no loans, displays, or past exhibitions are noted.

Its current location at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the only institutional placement confirmed by the available records.

Overview

Katsushika Hokusai created this untitled portrait in 1799, utilizing ink and color on paper. The work presents a solitary figure holding a long sword, captured in a moment of stillness that precedes action. It exemplifies Hokusai's early mastery of figural representation and dynamic composition, even within a seemingly quiet scene, inviting viewers to contemplate the subject's internal state and readiness.