Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Lü Ji in 1506.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Ming dynasty painting.

Untitled by Lü Ji (1506) · Meaning & Museum

Accession no.: 47.18.105
Credit line: From the Collection of A. W. Bahr, Purchase, Fletcher Fund, 1947

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Lü Ji's Untitled is a hanging scroll in ink and color on silk, classified as a landscape painting that incorporates a bird among its imagery.

Lü Ji's Untitled is a hanging scroll in ink and color on silk, classified as a landscape painting that incorporates a bird among its imagery. The work, dated 1506 and held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, places ornithological subject matter within a landscape setting, a combination typical of Chinese painting traditions where birds function as both naturalistic elements and carriers of symbolic resonance. The bird motif invites readings tied to traditional Chinese iconography, where such creatures often evoke seasonal associations, auspicious meanings, or literati ideals concerning harmony between living forms and the natural environment.

As a landscape with avian subject matter, the painting operates on the symbolic level characteristic of Ming-dynasty ink-and-color works on silk, where the interplay between setting and creature conveys broader reflections on nature rather than functioning as a straightforward depiction.

Technique & Style

The work is executed as a hanging scroll, a format traditionally used for vertical display. It is painted with ink and applied color on silk, combining line work with subtle washes to render a landscape motif that centers on a solitary bird. The composition follows the genre of Chinese landscape painting, emphasizing spatial depth through layered brushstrokes and a restrained palette.

The dimensions recorded are a height of 190.5 and a width of 98.7, reflecting the scroll’s elongated proportions. The piece originates from China and is presently held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

History & Provenance

The work Untitled was produced in 1506 in China by the painter Lü Ji as a hanging scroll in ink and color on silk, depicting a bird in a landscape genre. Its creation is documented in contemporary records that specify the year and medium, and its dimensions measure 190.5 cm by 98.7 cm. The painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as part of the museum’s holdings of Chinese paintings. No additional ownership records or commissioning details are known, and the dating relies on the original 1506 inscription.

Overview

Lü Ji’s untitled hanging scroll, executed in 1506, presents a modest landscape rendered on silk with ink and subtle colour washes. The composition centers on a solitary bird perched upon a twisted branch, framed by a few bamboo leaves that drift against an unadorned background. The work exemplifies the refined, understated aesthetic of early‑sixteenth‑century Chinese scroll painting.

Context

In the early 1500s, Chinese painters frequently incorporated natural subjects as allegorical devices, integrating poetry and painting. This work aligns with that tradition, offering a visual meditation that would have been appreciated by scholar‑officials for its subtle symbolism and refined execution, reflecting broader aesthetic values of the period.