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Untitled

Kitagawa Utamaro

1780

ink

paper

From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art

Romanticism Ukiyo-e 18th Century Genre Scene

Dominant colour

Untitled is a 1780 ink by Kitagawa Utamaro, a Romanticism work, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Kitagawa Utamaro
When & what style?: 1780 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Metropolitan Museum of Art

About this work

This painting shows a group of women in colorful kimonos walking along a beach at sunset. Some are carrying baskets, others are bending down by the water’s edge, and a few stand chatting. The waves look choppy, and in the distance, a bridge stretches over a rocky island. Notice how the artist used bold colors—deep reds, soft yellows, and earthy browns—to show the fabric and movement. The women’s faces are simple but expressive, with just a few lines for detail. If you like this, look up Kitagawa Utamaro for more works by the same artist.