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

It functions as a portrait that captures the sitter’s presence without additional narrative attributes, emphasizing the subject’s individuality.

The painting presents a solitary female figure rendered in ink and color on paper, dated 1799. It functions as a portrait that captures the sitter’s presence without additional narrative attributes, emphasizing the subject’s individuality. The composition, executed in Japan, reflects the artistic conventions of the period, where depictions of women often served as personal records rather than allegorical symbols.

The work’s meaning is tied to its role as a representation of a woman within the artist’s oeuvre, offering insight into contemporary portraiture and the cultural focus on personal likeness.

Technique & Style

Created in 1799, this work by Katsushika Hokusai is executed in ink and color on paper. The piece measures 19.2 cm in height and 26 cm in width. Classified as a painting within the portrait genre, the artwork depicts a woman.

The formal composition relies on traditional Japanese painting techniques, utilizing the paper support to render the figure with ink outlines and colored areas.

History & Provenance

Created in 1799 by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, this ink and color portrait on paper depicts a woman. The work originated in Japan and measures 19.2 cm in height by 26 cm in width. It is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains part of the institution's painting holdings.

The painting is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Its accession number at the museum is 2015.512.1.

It was included in the exhibition “Ink Art: Past as Present in Contemporary China” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, held from December 11, 2013, to April 6, 2014.

Overview

Katsushika Hokusai's Untitled, created in 1799, is an ink and color drawing on paper. This work presents a portrait of a woman, rendered with a direct and spontaneous approach. It exemplifies the artist's skill in capturing a figure with minimal yet expressive lines, showcasing his continuous exploration of different drawing methods throughout his career. The piece offers insight into his informal studies of human form and expression.

Context

This Untitled work belongs to a broader category of Hokusai's quick ink drawings, which are known in Japanese as manga. These informal studies and sketches often served as preparatory works or independent explorations of form, movement, and everyday life. Such pieces demonstrate Hokusai's prolific output and his dedication to capturing a wide range of subjects with dynamic and efficient brushwork, influencing later artistic practices.