Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink painting by the Romanticist artist Katsushika Isai. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The silk support provided a smooth, luminous surface conducive to the delicate brushwork and layered color application typical of the period.
The work is executed in ink and color on silk, originally taking the form of a folding fan before being remounted as a hanging scroll. This format conversion was a common practice for preserving and displaying Japanese painted fans. As a landscape dated to 1844, it exemplifies the Edo-period tradition of depicting natural scenery on portable, intimate objects.
The silk support provided a smooth, luminous surface conducive to the delicate brushwork and layered color application typical of the period. The work measures 19.7 cm in height by 68.6 cm in width, proportions reflecting its original fan shape with an elongated horizontal composition suited to sweeping landscape vistas.
History & Provenance
The work, titled Untitled, was created by Katsushika Isai in 1844 in Japan. Originally executed as a folding fan, it was later remounted as a hanging scroll. This landscape is executed in ink and color on silk and measures 19.7 cm in height by 68.6 cm in width.
It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The available records do not list a specific accession number or document any exhibition history for the work.
Overview
Katsushika Isai created this untitled landscape painting in 1844. Originally conceived as a folding fan, the artwork has since been remounted as a hanging scroll. Executed with ink and color on silk, it presents a tranquil natural scene, characteristic of the artist's engagement with landscape subjects during this period.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork depicts a serene natural environment, featuring distant trees and a solitary, small figure. A muted palette of greens, browns, and blues contributes to the tranquil atmosphere. The presence of a small bird in flight introduces a subtle dynamic element, contrasting with the overall stillness. This focus on an idealized, emotive natural world aligns with sensibilities often associated with Romanticism.
Artist & collection
