Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Katsushika Hokusai in dated 1790.

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 (dated 1790)

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Created in 1790 by Katsushika Hokusai, this hanging scroll painted in ink and color on silk belongs to the mythology genre.

Created in 1790 by Katsushika Hokusai, this hanging scroll painted in ink and color on silk belongs to the mythology genre. The composition features a human figure alongside a demon, with a weapon also present in the scene. While the specific narrative context of the interaction between the human and the supernatural entity is not detailed in the available records, the inclusion of these elements firmly establishes the work's focus on mythological subject matter.

The presence of a weapon suggests a potential conflict or defensive stance within the depicted story. As an untitled piece, the visual iconography of the demon and human serves as the primary vehicle for conveying its thematic content, representing a specific moment or character drawn from Japanese mythological traditions.

Technique & Style

Executed as a hanging scroll, the work employs ink and color applied to a silk support, a traditional East Asian format. The painted surface measures 32.4 by 57.2 centimeters. Stylistically, the imagery of demons, human figures, and weapons aligns with mythological subject matter rendered through the brushwork conventions associated with Katsushika Hokusai.

The sources do not provide further detail on specific pigment types, brush handling, seal impressions, or current condition.

History & Provenance

Created in 1790 in Japan, this hanging scroll titled Untitled is attributed to the artist Katsushika Hokusai. Executed in ink and color on silk, the work measures 32.4 by 57.2 centimetres and depicts a mythological scene featuring a demon, a human figure, and a weapon. The painting currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified under paintings.

While the specific circumstances of its commission and the detailed chain of ownership prior to its museum acquisition are not outlined in the available records, its inception is dated to the late 18th century.

The hanging scroll titled Untitled (1790) by Katsushika Hokusai is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection and is housed in New York. A specific inventory number is not provided in the source. The work is documented as a Japanese mythology painting depicting a demon, human figure, and weapon. Exhibition records are not mentioned in the available documentation.

Overview

Katsushika Hokusai's Untitled, created in 1790, is an ink and color painting on a silk hanging scroll. This early work by the renowned artist depicts a dramatic confrontation between a human figure and a demonic entity. The piece showcases Hokusai's nascent talent for dynamic composition and energetic portrayal, hinting at the expressive power that would characterize his later, more famous productions.