Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Kitagawa Utamaro in ca. 1793.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Kitagawa Utamaro , 1793

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1793 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created around 1793, this woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamara presents a domestic tableau rendered in ink and color on paper.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition reflects the stylistic conventions of ukiyo-e, emphasizing delicate line work and subtle coloration to convey tenderness and fleeting beauty.

The print portrays a semi-nude mother cradling an infant, adorned with a kanzashi hair ornament, holding a hand fan and comb. Symbolic elements such as the child, fan, and hair accessory underscore themes of maternal care and domestic intimacy in Edo-period print culture. The composition reflects the stylistic conventions of ukiyo-e, emphasizing delicate line work and subtle coloration to convey tenderness and fleeting beauty.

Technique & Style

Untitled, created by Kitagawa Utamaro in 1793, is a woodblock print executed in ink and color on paper. The work measures 52.7 cm in height by 19.4 cm in width and is classified as a ukiyo-e print. It depicts a semi‑nude woman holding a hand fan, accompanied by a child, a mother, an infant, and accessories such as a comb and kanzashi, rendered with typical ukiyo-e stylistic elements.

History & Provenance

Kitagawa Utamaro's Untitled woodblock print was created in 1793. Executed in ink and color on paper, the work is classified as a print within the ukiyo-e genre.

The print is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. No further details regarding its commission, earlier ownership, or chain of custody prior to its acquisition by the museum are documented in the available sources.

The woodblock print Untitled by Kitagawa Utamaro, created in 1793, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While the work is classified as a print in internal records, it is cataloged within the museum's holdings as a painting on paper and ink. Specific inventory details such as an accession number are not provided in the available sources. The artwork has not been linked to any specific exhibition history in the provided documentation.

Overview

Created around 1793, this woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamara presents a domestic tableau rendered in ink and color on paper. The composition centers on a mother holding an infant, attended by a young girl who fans them both. Subtle pink and green hues illuminate the scene, while precise black outlines define the folds of clothing and the surrounding objects.

Context

Produced during the late 18th‑century surge of bijin-ga (images of beautiful women), this work reflects Utamara’s interest in intimate, everyday scenes rather than idealized courtly portraits. The inclusion of household objects and a child aligns with contemporary trends that highlighted the private lives of women, offering viewers a glimpse into the domestic sphere of Edo society.