Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Maruyama Ōkyo in 1773.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Maruyama Ōkyo , 1773

Untitled is an ink painting by the Romanticist artist Maruyama Ōkyo. It dates from 1773 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

You see two tall paper panels side by side: a single wave curling across both sheets, foam spraying like tiny white fireworks.

You see two tall paper panels side by side: a single wave curling across both sheets, foam spraying like tiny white fireworks.

Ōkyo painted this in 1773, when most Japanese artists still worked in flat, decorative patterns. Here, the wave feels alive, ink washes build depth, and fine brushstrokes suggest the water’s weight and speed. It’s not a copy of nature; it’s Ōkyo’s quiet experiment with how much feeling you can pack into ink on paper.

If you like the way the wave moves, look up waves, japan next.

Overview

Created in 1773, this two‑panel folding screen by Maruyama Ōkyo presents a single, sweeping wave that stretches across both sheets of paper. Rendered in ink and color, the composition captures the motion of water with a dynamic curl and a spray of foam that resembles tiny bursts of white light.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a solitary wave, an elemental motif that invites contemplation of nature’s power and transience. Rather than a literal landscape, the image functions as an abstracted study of movement, suggesting both the physical weight of the water and the fleeting, almost poetic quality of its crest.

Technique & Style

Ōkyo employs layered ink washes to generate depth, while delicate brushstrokes articulate the wave’s texture and velocity. This approach diverges from the flat decorative patterns typical of mid‑eighteenth‑century Japanese art, emphasizing a more naturalistic rendering that relies on tonal variation and subtle line work to convey atmosphere.

History & Provenance

The screen has been part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection since its acquisition, where it remains a representative example of Ōkyo’s experimental phase. Its preservation on paper underscores the artist’s skill in handling a medium that demands careful handling and conservation.

Artist & collection

Artist

Maruyama Ōkyo

Maruyama Ōkyo (円山応挙; Japanese pronunciation: , June 12, 1733 – August 31, 1795), born Maruyama Masataka, was a Japanese artist active in the late 18th century.