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Untitled

Kitagawa Utamaro

1805

ink

From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art

Romanticism Ukiyo-e Early 19th Century Genre Scene party

Dominant colour

Untitled is a 1805 ink by Kitagawa Utamaro, a Romanticism work, depicting party, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Kitagawa Utamaro
When & what style?: 1805 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Metropolitan Museum of Art

About this work

This painting shows three scenes of women dressed in traditional Japanese clothing. They’re doing everyday things—one plays a stringed instrument, another fans herself while sitting, and a third holds a fan or brush. The colors are soft, with lots of pale greens, pinks, and earthy tones. Each scene has a small table with objects like a teapot or fan, and the background looks like a garden or courtyard. The women wear tall black hats and layered robes, which were common in 1800s Japan. Their poses are calm and graceful, almost like a snapshot of daily life. If you like this style, look up Kitagawa Utamaro for more of his work.